New stage, appointment processes discussed at latest BOMA meeting
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Town of Farragut Parks & Recreation director Ron Oestreich presents a request to purchase a portable stage. - Jake Nichols
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New South Ward alderman Greg Wiberley, left, takes his oath while being sworn into office. - Jake Nichols
Last Thursday, Aug. 27, a new era began for the Town of Farragut with Mayor Alex Cain and Aldermen Joey Ruffalo and Greg Wiberley overseeing their first meeting.
Alderman Drew Burnette was unable to attend due to a work conflict.
Business commenced with fiscal year reports from Derek Wright with the Town’s Parks and Athletics Council, Keith Alley representing the Board of Zoning Appeals and Jeff Devlin with the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission.
Wiberley was appointed to the Town’s Planning Commission as a board representative, and Cain and Wiberley voted for Ruffalo to maintain his position on the Tourism and Visitor Advisory Committee, this time as a BOMA representative.
The board followed by adopting amended public participation guidelines for its meetings.
Ruffalo read Resolution R-26-15, which moves the citizens forum portion to the first part of the meeting, directly after the mayor’s report, “so that public comment is heard earlier in the proceedings.”
The resolution will take effect at the next Board meeting, as the citizens forum agenda will “supersede any prior agenda,” Ruffalo said.
The first business item was approval of a new portable stage unit, purchased through Safeware Inc., that can be used for concerts at different locations throughout the Town.
Initially budgeted at $120,000 in fiscal year 2026, the stage was later rebudgeted at $230,000 because of increased steel costs. However, Town procurement accountant
Candace Whitt secured a competitive government pricing quote of $162,535.30, saving $67,465 from the revised budget estimate.
The stage can be packed into a box, transported by pickup truck and set up in less than an hour. It will be available for rent and can be used at the Independence Day parade. The purchase was approved after questions from Wiberley and Ruffalo.
The board also discussed and approved the North Ward alderman appointment process. Town administrator David Smoak said the application for the seat was published on the Town’s website Friday, Aug. 28, with applications due by noon Friday, Sept. 18. The alderman will be appointed Thursday, Oct. 8, with the swearing-in set for Thursday, Oct. 22.
Wiberley noted the importance of personal interviews with potential aldermen while Ruffalo reinforced the need
for everyone to have a chance to be heard in the process.
The person selected for the seat will need three votes
from the four sitting board members.
The meeting ended with discussion and approval of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee selection process. Smoak said staff recommends a representative from each of the Town’s land-use-related boards, along with five citizen members.
Ruffalo said the citizen appointments will be discussed during a workshop, with applications set to go out “as soon as possible,” Smoak added. Town officials want the committee assembled by Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Cain said he wants Burnette’s input on the subject as well.
The evening wrapped up with reports from Smoak on upcoming events and Town attorney Tom Hale, who answered Wiberley’s request for an overview of the Town’s legal matters during the past year.
Cain held a “Meet the Mayor” event at First Century Bank from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, while Ruffalo will hold a “Meet the Alderman” event from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Reef Coffee.
