From the Director's Desk:
August 17, 2023
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Welcome the New Carter County Highway CAO
Shannon Burchett, a longtime employee within the Carter County highway department, has been named to succeed Roger Colbaugh, who retired earlier this summer. Burchett has worked for the department for 30 years, most recently as assistant superintendent. Since Colbaugh left early in his term, Burchett will serve until the August 2024 election, when he can run for the remaining two years of the term.
Burchett served as interim successor for the past three months and went through the state highway certification process to become eligible for the appointment.
Help me welcome Shannon as our newest TCHOA member.
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Fuel Revenues Slow Starting New Fiscal Year
The initial report of fuel-related collections for July 2023 shows the combined gasoline and motor fuels are more than $880,000 below collections the same month a year ago, continuing a downward trend that started during the past year. Gasoline receipts were more than $1 million behind for the month, compared to July 2022. Motor fuel (diesel) collections were almost $140,000 ahead of that same month.
In the attached report, included are monthly figures from FY2018-2029 to the present to give a view of revenues since the first phase of new funding from the IMPROVE Act was implemented. FY2023-2024 shows as green in the graphs.
Remember that the sharing of new electric vehicle registration fees does not take effect until January 1, 2024. Until then, we will need to monitor these transitional fuel revenues closely.
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Federal Disaster Declaration for West TN Counties
TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan has announced that three Tennessee counties will receive federal recovery assistance under a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe weather that impacted the state on June 25-26, 2023.
“We remain focused on providing resources and support to the communities who were devastated by this severe weather event,” said Sheehan in an August 18 news release. “Federal disaster assistance will bring much-needed economic relief to these impacted jurisdictions.”
The Major Disaster Declaration will make federal disaster relief available to eligible jurisdictions and certain private, non-profit organizations in Fayette, Shelby, and Tipton counties. If other assistance is needed, please refer to the other sources below.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: The Major Disaster Declaration allows eligible government entities and certain private non-profits in the declared counties to apply for reimbursement of specific expenses related to the disaster under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program.
Information about FEMA's PA program and its reimbursement categories can be found here.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: The federal declaration also makes Tennessee eligible for the federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to communities to prevent or reduce long-term risks to life and property from natural hazards.
Additional designations may be made at a later date based on the results of further damage assessments.
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TCHOA is working to finalize its part of the overall conference agenda, as highway officials, mayors and commissioners come together October 18-20 at the Chattanooga Marriott & Convention Center. Highway training at the Annual Conference & Trade Show will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 18, so highway officials and staff should plan their hotel accommodations accordingly.
In addition to a session on “Human Resource Issues for Highway Departments” being provided Wednesday morning by the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), TCHOA is working with vendors to take a field trip to Astec and Roadworks that afternoon. Both facilities are close to downtown and our conference. Once those plans are solidified, we will let everyone know.
On Thursday morning, a session on “Human Resource Issues for Highway Departments” will be provided by the UT County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS). TCHOA will complete its portion of highway training that afternoon when representatives of the National Association of County Engineers will provide a federal update to our members. Madison County Hwy. CAO Bart Walls will also lead our membership through the federal drug clearinghouse requirements for highway employees.
Hotel rooms are going fast, so I would encourage you to act quickly.
Hotel + Lodging Information
TCSA has arranged lodging rates at two separate venues this year to allow for ample lodging at pre-approved rates. The details are as follows:
Marriott (attached to the Convention Center)
2 Carter Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Rate: $159
423-756-0002
Group Name: Tennessee County Services Association
Read House
107 West MLK Blvd
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Rate: $109
423-266-4121, then dial 1.
Be sure to tell the agent that you are booking with Tennessee County Services Association
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Upcoming Events
- September 6: Region 3 Lunch, Williamson County Ag Center
- September 7: Region 1 Lunch, Calhoun's, Gatlinburg
- September 14: Region 2 Lunch, Western Sizzlin, Jasper, TN
(Vendors: If you are planning to attend any of the regional meetings, please contact the secretary/treasurer for that region to make sure your dues are paid.)
- October 18-19: Annual Fall Conference & Trade Show, Chattanooga Marriott & Convention Center
- TCHOA Training begins at 10 a.m. on October 18.
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Thank you for your continued service and support,
Brett
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