In the minutes: Van Buren County Minutes, data center (Jul 20)

MINUTES OF THE VAN BUREN COUNTY COMMISSION
VAN BUREN COUNTY, TENNESSEE
The Van Buren County Commission met in a Regular Meeting on July 20, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Van Buren County Administrative Facility & Justice Center. The following action was taken as
recorded in Minute Book, “V”.
Call to Order
Chief Deputy Cameron Clendenon called the Meeting to Order.
Roll Call
Members present: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry
Hodges, Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee and Cale Crain.
Also present: Standing in for County Attorney Howard Upchurch was Attorney Stacey Farmer,
County Mayor David Sullivan, County Clerk Lisa Rigsby, and Jay Williams with zoom and Several
Citizens of Van Buren County.
Prayer
Dusty Madewell led us in prayer.
Pledge
Chairman Cale Crain led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approve/Disapprove: Minutes from June 22, 2026 Meeting and Special Called Meeting from
July 6, 2026 as printed
Terry Hickey made a motion, seconded by Michael Chandler to approve the Minutes from June
22, 2026 Meeting and Special Called Meeting from July 6, 2026 as printed.
Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges,
Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee, and Cale Crain voted yes. Motion
passed.
Approve/Disapprove: Committee A Report
Committee A Meeting
July 6, 2026
Call to order – 6:30 p.m.
Roll call – Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges, Cale Crain, and Tabitha Denney were present.
Motion made by Terry Hickey second by Terry Hodges to approve Grant for new ambulance from
the State of Tennessee. Giving Tiwanna the ability to sign a letter of agreement to begin building
the ambulance. Roll call all members in favor.
Motion made by Terry Hodges second by Cale Crain to approve TBI reimbursement for Sheriff’s
Department as presented. Roll call all members in favor. No action needed. (No action taken by
the Full Commission)

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Motion made by Terry Hickey second by Cale Crain to approve Resolution amending the Van
Buren County General Fund Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Roll call with all members in
favor. (No action taken by the Full Commission)
Motion made to adjourn by Terry Hickey.
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Committee A Chairman Tabitha Denney brought forward action that needs to be taken by the Full
Commission from the Committee A meeting on July 6, 2026.
Grant for New Ambulance & letter of agreement (Contract)
Tabitha Denney made a motion, seconded Kenny Smith to approve the Grant for the new
ambulance from the State of Tennessee and Give Tiwanna the ability to sign a letter of agreement
to begin building the ambulance.
Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges,
Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee, and Cale Crain voted yes. Motion
passed. Governmental Grant Contract & Ambulance Intent to purchase as following:

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Approve/Disapprove: Committee B Report
Committee B Meeting
July 6, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Roll call: Kenny Smith, Michael Woodlee, Michael Chandler, Tommy Frady, Dusty Madewell were
present.
Michael Chandler made a motion to approve the moratorium on data centers. Seconded by
Kenny Smith. All members in favor.
Old Business
Michael Woodlee made a motion that the issue regarding Company Store Road be sent to the
County Attorney. Seconded by Kenny Smith. All members in favor. (No action was taken by Full
Commission.)
Michael Woodlee made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Kenny Smith. All members in favor.
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Committee B Chairman Dusty Madewell brought forward action that needs to be taken from the
Full Commission from the Committee B Meeting on July 6, 2026.
Resolution to impose a temporary (2 yr.) moratorium on the Construction, development,
establishment, or operation of Data Centers within Van Buren County.
Dusty Madewell made a motion, seconded by Kenny Smith to approve the moratorium on data
centers within Van Buren County.
Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges,
Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee, and Cale Crain voted yes. Motion
passed. Resolution Number 506 as following:

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Old Business
None
New Business
Budget amendment for the Health Department for an eye wash station, $1,000.00
Terry Hickey made a motion, seconded by Michael Woodlee to approve the budget amendment
for the Health Department in the amount of $1,000.00.

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Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges,
Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee, and Cale Crain voted yes. Motion
passed. Budget amendment as following:
School Resource Officer Grant Program & Governmental Grant Contract.
The School Resource officer Grant Program contract for the year starting July 1, 2026 thru June
30, 2027 needs to be accepted, signed and sent back to the State of Tennessee. Tabitha Denney
made a motion, seconded by Michael Woodlee to accept.

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Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges,
Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith, Tommy Frady, Michael Woodlee, and Cale Crain voted yes.
Motion passed. Endowment Grant Contract as following:

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Missing signs off of Rock Fish Pike (Fish Rock Pike) onto Slatton Bridge
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Commissioner Michael Chandler made a motion, seconded by Kenny Smith to replace missing
signs off of Rock Fish Pike onto Slatton Bridge. All agreed by voice vote. 0-opposed. No changes to
any vote. Motion passed.
Internet at the Van Buren County Historical and Heritage Museum (Old Courthouse)
It was brought to Commissioner Michael Chandlers attention that internet is needed at the
Historical and Heritage Museum. (Old Courthouse) After discussion on this matter, Michael
Chandler made a motion, seconded by Terry Hodges to purchase internet for the old courthouse.
Upon roll call: Michael Chandler, Terry Hickey, Terry Hodges, Dusty Madewell, Kenny Smith,
Tommy Frady, and Michael Woodlee voted yes. Jordan Delong, Tabitha Denney and Cale Crain
voted no. 7-yes votes. 3-no votes. Motion passed.
Comments from the General Public
A couple of Citizens address the Full Commission with their concerns with the flock safety security
cameras and the bitcoin mining.
Adjournment
Terry Hickey made a motion, seconded by Michael Woodlee to adjourn. All approved by voice
vote. 0-opposed. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

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Chairman Cale Crain

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County Clerk Lisa Rigsby

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