By Gary Nelson / gnelson@crossville-chronicle.com
After approving renovations and departmental moves in the Cumberland County Courthouse in January, members of the Building and Grounds Committee agreed to a few more changes Wednesday evening.
The committee approved allowing the TDEC soil testing office the option of moving into General Session Judge Warner's old office on the bottom floor of the courthouse.
County Clerk Jule Bryson's office was originally going to relocate to the bottom floor of the courthouse, but after an estimate of $8,000 was submitted for constructing new cabinetry, members of the committee decided not to make the change.
"I'd rather stay where I'm at if I could and just use Nathan's (Cumberland County Finance Department) office after he moves upstairs. It makes more sense for me to have all of my office on one floor than to be going on two floors and having to go up and down the stairs carrying money around," Cumberland County Clerk Jule Bryson said. "But I'll go wherever you want me to."
After Cumberland County Circuit Court Clerk Larry Sherrill and Clerk and Master Sue Tollett moved their offices to the new Justice Center, their offices became vacant at the county courthouse.
The county finance department will be moving up to the third floor of the courthouse, once all of the renovations are complete.
Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Alexander told the committee the Chamber had the approval of the city and an additional grant of $89,000 to remove the old building behind the Chamber office, where the Soil Testing office is currently located.
"The city is going to remove the old building for us and we are just waiting on your decision and moving forward," she said.
The Chamber plans to expand its facility on Main St. The building and grounds committee decided last fall to allow the Chamber to remove the old building behind the Chamber and expand its office.
Seventh District Commissioner Mike Harvel motioned to allow the soil testing office the option of moving into Judge Warner's old office. It was supported by 4th District Commissioner Charles Seiber.
"I want them (the Chamber) to not have to wait and come back to us again after the soil testing office makes their decision," Harvel said.
It was unanimously approved.
The soil testing office will let the building and grounds committee know of its decision through Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill's office.
"I have a lease here for them to move into the old finance office once Nathan moves out," Hill said.
"Well, after looking at it all, Jule (Bryson) decided he'd rather have Nathan's office and be able to stay all on one floor," 6th District Commissioner Terry Carter said. Carter is chairman of the committee.
Hill said he would let them look at Judge Warner's old office and make a decision.
The committee decided in January to let Mayor Hill have the county remodel the vacant offices and the work is being furnished through prison labor and the county maintenance department.
New tile is being laid on the third floor and the entire cost of the renovations is estimated to be $7,500. The funds will come from the building and maintenance budget for the courthouse.
