The City of Henderson Board of Mayor and Aldermen met Thursday, June 11, in regular session. Aldermen Michael Phelps and Jason Rhodes were absent.
Present Board members unanimously passed the 2026-2027 City Budget and Tax Rate ordinance on the second and final reading with a roll call vote. Discussion included a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate which is to remain the same at $0.6859 per $100 of assessed value.
Pastor Cleophas Cherry addressed the Board, inquiring about an abandoned church building at 815 White Ave. Cherry expressed interest in pursuing ownership of the building on behalf of his local congregation in order to accommodate their growing numbers. He said he has attempted to locate ownership details for purchase but has been unable to find the information. Cherry said he would be willing and has the knowledge and ability to renovate the building, which has reportedly sustained significant water damage in recent years. Building and Zoning Official Brent Beshires, City Recorder Jim Garland and City Attorney Jerry Spore each weighed in, discussing the various paths forward. There are no tax records as it is a church property. The process of identifying ownership of the property differs in cases of residential versus commercial. Discussion also included eventual city options to pursue renovation or demolition. The Board agreed that renovation would be the desired outcome.
Discussion of three candidates for the City Utility Director resulted in the selection of Issac Harrold. Harrold is set to replace retiring Utility Director Darryl Green. Green said, “The strongest candidate has knowledge of our system, gas water, wastewater, has license required for distribution and collection and wastewater treatment lagoons…Issac by far I think is the strongest candidate out of the three primarily because he does know the system and everybody pretty much knows him and works with him very well, and I think that would be a very good transition.”
Alderman Keith Smith made the motion to select Harrold for the position, effective Monday, Sept. 28, of this year. Smith recommended that Harrold begin July 6 with the promotion to the temporary assignment of Incoming Utility Director, to continue in his role as crew leader, but for steps to be taken to fill that crew leader position as soon as possible to allow Harrold sufficient time to work with the retiring Director Green. In addition, Harrold would be provided a city vehicle to drive home. The motion passed with none opposed.
Incoming Director Issac Harrold was present for the vote and responded, “I appreciate it and I look forward for this In other Utility Department business, the Board approved the 2026-2027 Operations and Capital expenditure budgets for the Water/Sewer/Fund and the Natural Gas Fund and the final reading of an ordinance to increase Water and Sewer Rates by 5%, effective July 1, 2026, both in unanimous roll call votes. The purchase of 1-inch and 3/4-inch water meters with AMR were approved for inventory, unopposed, at a cost of $6,207.30. According to Green, the purchase replaces stock of regularly used meters which are supplied to ensure collaboration with the city’s AMR. Green discussed per unit basis contracts for gas line installation, stating there had been a miscellaneous contract with R Jones Underground as low bidder, adding that the previous contract had been extended for a number of years, and this plan renews the same contract.
Green shared with the Board that the city of Henderson has been approached by Selmer to potentially take over part of their system. Selmer had applied for a grant to make approvements which was denied, he said. The city would assume the responsibility of these customers, a potential increase of more than 500 customers. He explained there is the possibility of some expenses to ensure it would not affect current customers or damage the city’s system. Many of the customers in that area already are on city gas, which means the city already has a presence in the area.
Lastly for the Utility Department, improvements will be made to the Utility Collection Office area in City Hall with unanimous approval.
Other agenda items, each approved with a unanimous roll call vote, included the final reading of an ordinance amending Sections 4-222 and 4-223 of the Municipal Code pertaining to employee vacation and sick leave policies - this ordinance affects newer employees and was approved on the second and final reading; and the first reading of an action amending the 2025-2026 (Current Year) Budget to account for ongoing Grant Projects and other line-item overruns. The Board will vote next month on the final reading
Resolutions were approved in unanimous roll call votes authorizing applications to participate in the Tennessee Downtowns Program, a downtown revitalization education program, and the USDA/Rural Development for funding under the Rural Business Development Grant Program to support a downtown development strategic plan. Mayor Terry Bell said the city has previously participated in the Tennessee Downtowns Program and the Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce has requested the city again participate as it opens up doors for grants toward improvements in the downtown area, including façade and landscape – brick, windows, canopies, etc. Grants are potentially available up to a total of $500,000 with a 20% match which property owners would cover. Mayor Bell suggested the city request around $25,000 of the total to use in working with the beautification committee to make improvements to downtown area. Alderman Mark Barber said he had seen impressive downtown areas in other cities, due to their participation in these types of programs. Henderson was chosen to participate in the USDA/Rural Development which is a 100% grant with no local match. The Board approved this application as well, calling it a “win-win” with no downside.
The City will move forward with the purchase of an automatic battery backup system for the traffic signal at US Highway 45 and West Main Street. The Board unanimously approved the low bid from Temple, Inc., from Decatur, Ala.
A contract for the local America250 Celebration fireworks display was approved with none opposed, and will be funded through a state TN250 grant. The licensed professional display will begin at 8:45 June 27.
Henderson Fire Chief Doug Acred shared details of a recent incident with Fire Truck No. 1. The truck was hit by an overloaded log truck June 4 while providing traffic control at a wreck scene and is expected to be totaled by insurance as a result. There were no injuries. The log truck driver reportedly received citations from THP in the incident.
Listen to the full meeting online at www.chestercountyindependent.com
