By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–The Henry County Buildings and Grounds Committee got its first look at the floor plan for upcoming renovations to the former Henry County Medical Center Wellness Center at its Monday meeting. That building, located at 311 E. Wood St., will house the county juvenile court and the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center offices.
The committee will meet again May 15, at which time Architect Ben Witt said he would have firm estimates of costs and a more finalized floor plan. The committee plans to recommend that the county proceed with the project to the full County Commission at its May 27 meeting.
The juvenile court currently is located in the courthouse annex building on W. Washington St. As has been discussed and reported at length previously, that building is in deteriorated condition and county officials have been working to find other locations for the county offices there (that would include trustees, property assessor, register of deeds office).
Juvenile Court Judge Vicki Snyder was present at yesterday’s meeting and Witt said he has met with staff to determine space needs when designing the proposed floor plan.
The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center offices will be moved to the rear of the former Wellness Center (where hospice is now located). TRC is presently located at a building on Hwy. 79S, to which the Election Commission and County Archives will be moved.
Buildings and Grounds Committee Chair Marty Visser said, “The TRC people like this space. Although they would like signage in the back where their offices will be and on E. Wood St.”
Witt said, “We’ve been asked to rearrange some things” on the proposed floor plan “and make more tweaks to it. We’re going to fine tune it a little more” before the May 15 meeting.
County Mayor Randy Geiger recommended that County Maintenance Director John McElroy oversee the project rather than have the county hire someone for that purpose. “It would cost us a lot less,” he said.
Geiger also said the county could utilize the TVA impact funds awarded Henry County and use them for the project. The TVA awarded $750,000 a year and it is anticipated the same amount will be awarded “no strings attached” the following year, with lesser amounts in future years.
The committee went on to discuss the proposed new county government building that will be constructed on Hwy. 79S.
Estimated at $8M, committee members discussed how it would be paid for, with Geiger, Visser and others recommending a wheel tax for that purpose. Several county offices would be moved to that building.
Geiger also recommended that the county commission lock down USDA monies now at a lower interest rate to help pay for the project. He said the USDA is agreeing to a 4 ½ percent interest rate now.
County Commissioner Chuck Elizondo reminded everyone that the county commission “already said they would not approve a wheel tax without knowing the cost”.
Geiger agreed, noting that the earliest the wheel tax could be implemented would be January 1, 2026.
In other business, the committee agreed that Rob Goad, Executive Director of the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, could begin sending out bid letters for the repair and/or replacement of the courthouse bell tower, which also is in deteriorated shape.
Photo: Architect Ben Witt, right, presents the proposed floor plan to committee members and County Mayor Randy Geiger. (Shannon McFarlin photo).