By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–At a busy meeting Tuesday night, the Henry County Commission approved an agreement with Allen Searcy Builders to construct the planned new Henry County office building, heard a report from the Renaissance Group on the proposed scope of the planned reconstruction of the courthouse bell tower and clock, approved the issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds, appointed Emory Bradley as Road Board Commissioner for District 5—and more.
Commissioners authorized an agreement with Allen Searcy Builders of Union City for construction of the new county office building on Hwy. 79S. The Searcy firm has conducted several other local construction projects, including for the Paris BPU.
Contract sum listed in the agreement is $7.8 M. The new office building has been under discussion for some time and is intended to alleviate ongoing problems with aging government buildings and lack of space in offices.
Commissioner Ralph Wiles said, “I’m absolutely against it. It’s a money pit”.
Historic Building Specialist Jacob Graham of the Renaissance Group presented an overview of the scope of the proposed reconstruction of the courthouse bell tower and clock. The county’s building and grounds committee has recommended acceptance of the Renaissance proposal. The issue was tabled last month.
Commissioner David Webb—who also is the County Historian—presented enlarged photos of how the courthouse clock and tower looked originally and asked that the clock faces be restored to the original look. “I’d very much like to see the faces look as close to the original version as you can,” he said.
Webb also asked whether the clock and bell will be functional. “Is the bell going to chime? I’d like to be able to hear the bell ring again. Some things I’m not willing to compromise on. We need to get it back to the way it looked. This needs to be the goal before us. This building is the most historically significant and most symbolic in Henry County.”
Graham said Renaissance “has the utmost respect for the structure. Our goal is to do exactly what you said. But right now the scope of the project does not include making the clock functional.” Graham said the proposal is not a contract “and a lot of conferring will occur before any decisions are made.”
Under the current proposal, the tower would be removed and replaced when the reconstruction is completed. Graham recommended a ‘forensic’ study of the tower be completed first. That would cost some $10,000-$15,000. The commissioners approved an amendment okaying the forensic engineering phase.
According to the current Renaissance proposal, estimated cost for restoring the dome structure and flat roof would be $1.5 M and pricing to restore the clock dials and machinery would be $100,000.
In other business:
–After presentations by two candidates for the position of Road Board Commissioner for District 5—Emory Bradley and Joe Rice—the county commission voted to appoint Bradley to the post.
–The commission passed the initial resolution authorizing the issuance of $9M in general obligation pubic improvement bonds. Commissioner David Flowers—who served as President of Commercial Bank for years—explained that process involved in issuing bonds. The bonds involve the wheel tax.
–Commissioners rejected a resolution that would have appointed an assistant secretary to the budget and finance committee. County Attorney Rob Whitfield explained, “This isn’t new money. It’s not a new stipend. It’s been in place since 2002. It’s not discriminatory if this secretary does more than the others.”
Commissioner James Higgins said the proposal seemed preferential to the assistant budget and finance secretary. Flowers said, “I’m not for this” and Commissioner Missy Hamilton said, “Maybe there are other things that should be considered first.”
–During the commissioners’ forum at the outset of the meeting, Hamilton said even though the future of the juvenile court was not on Tuesday’s agenda, “I think it’s insane we can’t come to a decision on that. It’s been a year since we bought the building at 311 E. Wood St. We have people (working in the courthouse annex where juvenile court is) who have chronic illnesses. Y’all vote this down every time and it’s ridiculous.” Commissioners Hayes and Chuck Elizondo said they agreed with Hamilton.
–The commission approved the listing for Henry County roads for 2026 as presented by Road Supervisor Richie Chilcutt.
–The annual resolution appointing citizens and commissioners to various boards, committees and positions was approved.
Photo: Jacob Graham of Renaissance presents its proposal to commissioners. Shannon McFarlin photo.