Commissioners

The Animal Welfare Committee was established to consider partnerships to address Lawrence County stray dog issues.

Committee Members:

• Shane Eaton *
• Tammy Wisdom **
• Dave Ray
• Tim Clifton
• Roy Hagan

The Audit Committee helps makes sure county finances are in compliance with Tennessee State law.

Committee Members:

• Karen Woodall *
• Scott Franks **
• Jim Brewer
• Jerry Putman
• Kelsey Glass

The Beer Board ensures that retailers applying for beer sale licenses are in compliance with guidelines related to distance from schools and churches.

Committee Members:

• Rick Skillington*
• John Bradley **
• Travis Cauwels
• Chris Sutherland
• Tim Clifton

The Budget Committee reviews all department requests to prepare the annual budget for full Commission approval. The Budget Committee also reviews and approves any unbudgeted spending throughout the year, including bids approved by the Purchasing Committee.

Committee Members:

• David Morgan *
• Scott Franks **
• Randy Brewer
• Phillip Heatherly
• Barry Luffman

The Courtroom Security Committee works to protect the safety of everyone involved in courtroom proceedings, including judges, witnesses, and observers. Another priority for the Courtroom Security team is maintaining proper decorum in our courtrooms.

Committee Members:

• County Executive David Morgan *
• Sheriff John Myers **
• DA Brent Cooper
• Judge Caleb Bayless
• Court Clerk Tommy Lee Kidd

The Delinquent Property Tax Sales Committee

Committee Members:

• David Morgan *
• Scott Franks **
• Travis Cauwels
• Chris Sutherland
• Phillip Heatherly

Our Economic & Community Development/Tourism/ Non-profit Committees work to bring more jobs and more tourists, respectively, into our county.  They operate hand-in-hand with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Economic & Community Development Committee. They also primarily meet during budget time to determine the county’s annual contributions to the non-profit groups.

Committee Members:

• Randy Brewer *
• Rick Skillington **
• Shane Eaton
• John Bradley
• Chris Sutherland

The Emergency Services Committee was established in 2022-23 and includes members of the Commission and First Responders. This group will examine all of Lawrence County’s emergency services to make sure our facilities, equipment, and manpower are providing our growing community the best service possible.

Committee Members: 

• David Morgan *
• Shane Eaton **
• Will Burnett
• Roy Hagan
• Barry Luffman

The Facilities/Property Committee (includes Public Safety & Jail)

makes the initial decision about any construction, major repair, or addition to any county building. Members determine the need and how it can be addressed, then ask for bids (see above).

Committee Members:

• Scott Franks *
• Randy Brewer **
• Tim Clifton
• Sandy Newton
• Travis Cauwels

The Grievance Committee considers complaints filed by county employees.

Committee Members:

• Tammy Wisdom *
• Will Burnett **
• Roy Hagan
• Holley Cody
• Tammy Hardy

Highway Committee members make recommendations regarding road projects, speed limit changes, and road name changes. They also make sure changes don’t create problems for 911 dispatch and emergency responders.

Committee Members:

• Wayne Yocom *
• Denny Gillespie **
• Tim Clifton
• Barry Luffman
• Sandy Newton

The Human Resource Committee (includes Ethics, Rules, Benefits, & Sick Bank) are job classifications, comp time, insurance renewals, and pay scale for county employees. They also meet as needed to address any ethics violations in county government or the county workplace. The Rules committee gathers when necessary, to deal with questions about meeting protocol.

Committee Members:

• Phillip Heatherly *
• Shane Eaton **
• Denny Gillespie
• Tammy Wisdom
• Sandy Newton

The Purchasing Committee approves bids for large purchases or projects like building construction. An advertisement for bids goes out in local newspapers; sealed bids are submitted by the specified deadline; then they are opened at a Purchasing Committee meeting. Low bids win as long as they meet all specifications.

Committee Members:

• David Morgan *
• Travis Cauwels **
• Dave Ray
• Phillip Heatherly
• Will Burnett

The Resolution Committee, which meets prior to each full Commission meeting to go over its agenda. This committee makes sure resolutions coming before the Commission are completely accurate.

Committee Members:

• Phillip Heatherly *
• Tammy Wisdom **
• Shane Eaton
• Chris Sutherland
• Delano Benefield

Committee Members:

• Rick Skillington *
• Shane Eaton **
• Phillip Heatherly
• Travis Cauwels
• John Bradley
• Barry Luffman

The School Board Liaison Committee’s job is to keep the lines of communication open between the Commission and School Board.

Committee Members:

• Dave Ray *
• Rick Skillington **
• Sandy Newton
• Will Burnett
• Scott Franks

The Solid Waste Committee is tackling issues that include a leak at the solid waste facility; a drainage issue that can flood the building’s offices; and repairs necessary in the chert/topsoil “cap” over a closed area of the landfill.

Committee Members:

• Denny Gillespie *
• Wayne Yocom **
• John Bradley
• Tim Clifton
• Travis Cauwels

The Technology Committee address computer needs in the county.

Committee Members:

• Dave Ray *
• Sandy Newton **
• Will Burnett
• Tammy Wisdom
• Phillip Heatherly

The Utilities/Energy Efficiency Committee, which does exactly what its names suggests. They look for ways to save energy and therefore taxpayer dollars.

Committee Members:

• Denny Gillespie *
• John Bradley **
• Delano Benefield
• Barry Luffman
• Phillip Heatherly

The Workplace Safety Committee addresses issues regarding the physical safety and wellbeing of Lawrence County Government employees. This can include adjustments needed in the work environment or certain task protocols.

Committee Members:

• Rick Skillington *
• Tammy Wisdom **
• Chris Sutherland
• Delano Benefield
• Roy Hagan

Committee Members:

• Denny Gillespie *
• Tim Clifton **
• Shane Eaton
• Travis Cauwels
• Chris Sutherland