By RANDALL ALLEN

Horizon Reporter

CELINA-County Commissioners approved the budget, tax rate, and an opioid settlement agreement here last week during their August meeting, and Thomas Montgomery was also announced as the new assistant EMA director.

County Mayor Dale Reagan presented the budget to commissioners for the vote.

“Resolution number one is a resolution to approve the appropriations for various funds and departments of Clay County for fiscal year 2025 (to) 2026, and this is your budget,” he said.

Commissioner Bryan Coons made a motion to approve the budget and commissioner Jennifer Ritter seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by a voice vote.

The mayor then spoke about the tax rate.

“The next item on the agenda is a resolution fixing the tax levy for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025,” Reagan said.  “The tax rate is going to stay the same at $2.60.”

Coons made a motion approving the tax rate and commissioner Dorothy Forney seconded the motion, which also passed unanimously.

Reagan then spoke about the opioid settlement agreement on the agenda.

“This is another one of those lawsuits that have been going on for several years with the pharmaceutical companies,” he explained.  “All the counties that are in the state are participating with the state (and) the state is the one hearing this for us.

“We will be getting some money back.  Some of the pharmaceutical companies like Walmart, Walgreens and so many others—some of them chose to pay it off in a lump sum, but a lot of them have chosen to pay it off over the next 16-18 years.”

Commissioner Jerry Rhoton made a motion authorizing Clay County to join the State of Tennessee and other local governments in amending the Tennessee state subdivision opioid abatement agreement and approving the related settlement agreements.  Forney seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Local EMA director Kyle Haney also addressed county commissioners and announced a new assistant EMA director.

“(Former assistant director) Chris (Hayes) left us,” Haney said.  “He went back to Jackson County to assist the EMA director over there.

“So, I placed Thomas Montgomery in that spot right now.  He lives in the county and can respond appropriately.”

Reagan spoke highly of Montgomery and offerred his support of Haney’s decision.

“Thomas has a lot of training on hazardous waste, and I think he will do a good job for us there,” Reagan said.

Before the meeting adjourned, Misty Grace, Alecia Danielle Burns, and Virginia LyNell Sadler-Landrum were all approved as notaries.