County Attorney Announces Resignation During Heated Hardeman County Commission Discussion
The Hardeman County Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, and handled zoning matters, approved funding for new highway equipment, heard updates from several county departments and held an extended discussion concerning the Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation. All commissioners were present for the meeting.
Zoning Changes Approved
{5 minute mark in the video} Commissioners approved a rezoning request involving approximately 1.6 acres near the intersection of Highway 64 and Old Highway 125. The property currently contains storage buildings, and officials said the rezoning would allow a business to operate there and sell the buildings. The request came to the commission with a positive recommendation from the regional planning commission.
The commission also approved a zoning text amendment establishing standards for recreational vehicle parks in C-2 districts.
Zoning Director Ron Pirtle explained that interest from people wanting to develop RV parks prompted the planning commission to develop specific standards. Among the requirements discussed during the meeting was a minimum property size of 10 acres. The proposal received a positive recommendation from the planning commission before coming before the county commission.
An update was also provided concerning the Matthews property. Pirtle said the owner has been working to address concerns and discovered that property he was considering purchasing was not currently zoned commercial as previously believed. The seller has been asked to begin the rezoning process. Commissioners were told that steps have also been taken to register some vehicles associated with the property.
Resident Raises Concerns About CoreCivic
{13:30 minute mark in the video} During public comments, a resident addressed commissioners about the county’s relationship with CoreCivic and conditions at the correctional facilities.
She raised concerns involving inmate medical treatment, drugs, violence, staffing levels and safety for correctional officers and inmates. She asked commissioners to use whatever leverage the county has through contracts involving the facilities to push for improvements.
“To be clear, the first thing I want from you is for you to use the leverage of those contracts to either make changes or eliminate the problem,” she told commissioners.
She also encouraged commissioners to research what should be occurring inside the facilities compared with what is actually happening and to hold those responsible accountable.
“Your hands may be tied in some capacity, but you can still make a difference,” she said. “To continue to do nothing, however, is not an option.”
Highway Department Seeks New Chip Spreader
{23 minute mark in the video} The commission unanimously approved a budget amendment allowing the Highway Department to move $477,919 from its fund balance into its equipment account to purchase a chip spreader.
The department currently does not have a modern chip spreader and has been using an older method involving truck tailgates. Commissioners were told the new equipment would improve chip-and-seal operations.
The department is also considering using approximately $1 million from its fund balance for additional chip-and-seal road work during the fiscal year, with that proposal expected to return to commissioners later.
Road Supervisor Casey Swift also discussed the county wheel tax and its history. Commissioners were told that $40 currently goes to the Highway Department while another $40 goes toward the Criminal Justice Complex debt service. The Highway Department’s portion is the only contribution from the county towards road funding. {Listen to the full discussion and history of the wheel tax at the 28 minute mark in the video}
Election Audit Shows Zero Variance
{ 38 minute mark in the video} Commissioners also received clarification about an election audit conducted following the recent election.
Election Administrator Amber Moore explained that state law requires ballots from a randomly selected polling location, along with early voting and absentee ballots, to be run through different scanners following an election. The audit resulted in “zero variance,” commissioners were told.
“So I’d like to say praise God again that we had a perfect audit, zero variance,” Moore said.
EMS Reports Increased Collections, Staffing Updates
{40 minute mark in the video} Hardeman County EMS Director Rusty Thigpen reported 4,586 calls during fiscal year 2025-26 and total collections of approximately $1.32 million.
For fiscal year 2026-27, EMS had already responded to 584 calls at the time of the meeting. Collections totaled approximately $489,122 in July and $218,699 in August through the date of the meeting, for approximately $677,183 combined.
Thigpen also reported progress in staffing. The department has eight full-time paramedics, with one employee testing for a paramedic license, along with eight full-time EMT positions filled. The department also has five part-time paramedics and nine part-time EMTs.
Several facility and equipment improvements are underway or being considered. The department’s fire alarm system has been updated and is being monitored, and officials are considering new locking and medication-tracking systems to improve security and accountability for controlled substances.
EMS currently has five ambulances in service, including three considered frontline units. Its two backup ambulances each have more than 300,000 miles.
Thigpen is working through grant processes that could help fund additional ambulances and equipment. EMS has also received equipment through the ThreeStar program, including a new LIFEPAK 35 monitor and a Stryker loading system.
EMS Director Rusty Thigpen also presented commissioners with a proposed policy and procedure manual that he said had been developed over approximately four months. Commissioners agreed that the new ambulance committee should review the policies before further action is taken.
Jail Inspection, Litter Collection Reported
{56 minute mark in the video} The commission received a report covering litter collection, crime statistics and the county jail from Chief Deputy Billy Davis.
More than 16,000 pounds of litter were collected in July and approximately 10,100 pounds in August, totaling more than 26,100 pounds for the two months.
It was reported that the jail recently underwent an inspection and passed all areas except one involving a fire alarm component. The needed part has been on back order for several months. Inspectors are expected to return within 60 days.
The commission also approved a request related to recognizing outgoing Sheriff Doolen’s service. Davis proposed allowing his service weapon to be awarded, gifted or sold to him in recognition of 27 years of service to the county, including 16 years as sheriff.
Correctional Facilities Corporation Draws Lengthy Discussion
{1:02 minute mark in the video} One of the meeting’s longest discussions centered on the Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation and questions about its history, board appointments, registered agent and the handling of money associated with the county’s correctional facilities.
Commissioner Johnny Lanier said he began researching the corporation after questions were raised during the July meeting. He told commissioners his research showed the Hardeman County Correctional Facilities Corporation was formed in 1995 and later that corporation dissolved or became inactive and then a second corporation, HCCFC-2, was formed in 2002.
Lanier questioned why the legislative body had little knowledge of the corporation or its membership despite the corporation’s longstanding relationship with the county and correctional facilities.
Documents discussed during the meeting showed changes to the corporation’s registered agent over the years. The discussion started to become contentious as commissioners questioned County Attorney Dale Conder about a 2023 change that returned attorney William B. Hubbard as the corporation’s registered agent.
Conder said the corporation had never been properly dissolved and explained that he believed returning Hubbard as registered agent was appropriate because the charter named Hubbard as the registered agent.
Commissioners questioned why the matter had not been brought before the full commission.
The discussion also focused on approximately $72,000 annually that commissioners said the county had previously received as an administrative fee, as well as interest generated while correctional-related money passed through county accounts.
Questions were also raised about the ownership of the correctional facilities, the role of the corporation and potential liability if the corporation were dissolved and property transferred to the county.
As the exchange became heated, Commission Bobby Wright questioned Conder, “I want to know who you represent. Do you represent the County or do you represent the Mayor?”
“I represent the county until tonight,” Conder said. “You’ve got my resignation…. I come down here. I charge y’all less than any lawyer that’s ever worked for y’all does and I come down here and I get treated like I’m involved in some scam or something. So I’ll send you my letter of resignation tomorrow and y’all enjoy yourselves.”
Lanier said information concerning the corporation was being reviewed by outside authorities and that he expected additional examination of the corporation’s structure, finances and records, ” I’d like to say in closing… I don’t like any of this. I don’t like how any of it was done over the last 20 years… But I can promise you this, there are many sets of eyes reviewing this information. I’m not going to say who all those eyes are, but it’s pretty much any or every state law enforcement agency or office with the state of Tennessee that would look into the nuts and bolts of this corporation, how it works, tax records, financials, etc. The U.S. Attorney Mike Dunavant’s office has seen it as well. And I am expecting people to be back in touch with me.”
Officials Recognized for Service
{1:36 minute mark in the video} Mayor Pulse concluded the meeting by recognizing several officials and commissioners whose terms of service are ending.
Circuit Court Clerk Eunice Gudger was recognized for her service from 2022 to 2026 and told commissioners it had been an honor to serve the county over the past 4 years.
Outgoing commissioners were also presented with certificates of appreciation and their nameplates in recognition of their service.
“There’s four commissioners that will not be with us next session… starting our new legislative session September 1st,” said Mayor Pulse as he recognized the outgoing commissioners’ service to the county. Pulse recognized Bethany Miller, who has served as a commissioner since 2022; John Vickers, who has served as a commissioner since 2014; Mark Gilliam, who has served as a commissioner since 2018; and Brad Grantham, who has served as a commissioner since 2022.
Sheriff John Doolen, who was not present, was recognized for 16 years as sheriff and his years of service in law enforcement.
Longtime Register of Deeds Lily Barnes was honored upon her retirement after more than 35 years of service to Hardeman County, including 28 years as the elected Register of Deeds.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Barnes said. “I’ve been so blessed and thankful.”
Barnes said she was looking forward to retirement but would remain available if needed. She also said she and incoming Register of Deeds Mark Gilliam were working to ensure a smooth transition.
A swearing-in ceremony for newly elected county officials was announced for August 31 at noon in the courtroom. The county’s new legislative session begins September 1, 2026. You may watch the swearing-in ceremony live on the Hatchie Press FaceBook page or YouTube Channel.
The monthly report from the County attorney was not presented due to his resignation earlier in the meeting.
The next meeting of the Hardeman County Commission is scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Click here to read about the July 2026 County Commission meeting.
Click here to watch the full August 2026 County Commission meeting.
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