County Extends Lease On Fire Department Property

Huntsville, TN (2011-01-18) County officials have voted to renew a fifteen year lease on a piece of state-owned property in the Robbins community for the South Scott Volunteer Fire Department.

The Scott County Commission voted Tuesday night to extend a lease with the State of Tennessee on a parcel of state-owned property in Robbins, which is the site of the South Scott Volunteer Fire Department fire hall. The no-rent lease, which actually lapsed in 2009, was extended another 15 years. While the Commission authorized the renewal, some Commissioners expressed concern over the potentials costs associated with the removal of fire department assets from the property should the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) need the tract in the future to improve the highway corridor through the Robbins community.

The lease, which may be terminated by either party with a 60-days written notice, includes a provision that would make the County responsible for the cost of removing all improvements to the property should TDOT choose to terminate the lease. Those costs would include removal of all buildings and other improvements to the site. “Do we have a sublease with (the South Scott County VFD)?” asked Commissioner Paul Strunk. County Attorney John Beaty noted that he did not know of such a sublease and would look into the matter.

In other business Tuesday night, the Commission:

· Voted to enter into a contract with Mendola and Associates, LLC to provide audit and compliance review services to the Assessor of Property’s Office. The contract is for one year, but may be renewed annually for up to four years;

· Approved its 2011-2012 Budget Calendar for planning and adoption of the 2011 fiscal year budget;

· Tabled a resolution which would have started the process of closing 1.6 miles of Old Sawmill Road in Robbins, which was requested by the landowner earlier this month. The closure, which would affect only three landowners, would also limit access to Pemberton Cemetery, which has been a point of contention between Commissioners; and,

· Failed to act on a resolution to change the County Beer Sales regulations to allow beer sales within 500 feet of a church, school, or other public gathering place, rather than the current restriction of 1,400 feet, effectively terminating the resolution.