Bolivar City Council Receives Department Updates, Discusses Library Funding Shortfall at August Meeting
The Bolivar City Council Held its regularly scheduled meeting on August 10, 2026. The council opened the meeting with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before approving the minutes from its regular July meeting. Council woman Caroline Miller was absent.
During Mayor McTizic’s report, it was announced that city offices will be closed September 7, 2026, for Labor Day. Council members were also reminded about upcoming conferences and asked to select one they would like to attend due to reductions in the city’s travel budget.
Department Reports
The Bolivar Energy Authority approved a bad debt write-off of $31,039.97 for the fiscal year ending June 30 and approved a federal tax compliance policy dealing with the issuance of tax-exempt bonds.
In the utility department report, the council was informed that aerators for the water plant are expected to arrive next week and a utility truck is expected later this month.
Bolivar Fire Chief Price reported 104 fire calls, including 99 within the city and five in the county. The department recorded 230 training hours, installed 31 smoke alarms and 11 CO alarms, and conducted 19 fire code inspections.
Price also announced several events planned for September including the September 11 program and an emergency services career day, which is planned for September 19 at the high school, with middle schools throughout the county and Middleton High School invited to participate.
Council members were also informed that Engine 2 required approximately $10,000 in repairs after its fuel injection system failed. The expense was not included in the budget, and a budget amendment will be needed. The mayor said the repair was authorized because the engine needed to remain in service.
Bolivar Police Chief Jones reported 858 calls for service, 202 citations and 18 accidents. Seven accidents involved injuries and 11 involved property damage. Police made 34 arrests, including six juveniles and 28 adults. The department also conducted 10 street task force shifts, two Governor’s Highway Safety shifts and recorded 205 training hours.
Parks and Recreation Director Anthony Ford reported that registration for the adult volleyball league will begin August 24. Fall youth softball registration ran through August 14, while soccer registration continues through August 28. The youth summer golf league concluded July 29.
Street and Sanitation Director Jerry Mayfield reported collecting 143.89 tons of residential waste and 312.54 tons of commercial waste, for a total of 456.43 tons. The department also collected 65.90 tons of brush. Crews continued mowing and bush hogging throughout the city and began painting crosswalks and tiger paws in preparation for the return of school. Bulky item pickup ended July 31.
The Bolivar-Hardeman County Library Director Becky White reported $1,541.70 from donations, copies, fines and faxes during July. The library held 16 programs with 184 attendees and recorded 936 visits. The library also reported 1,355 circulated items, 316 computer users and 625 reads. Meeting rooms were booked 17 times with 52 guests. The summer reading program had 468 participants during June and July and added 74 newly registered users. Mrs. White also reported that all three air-conditioning units have been repaired and are working. The library is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon.
Senior Adult Program Continues to Grow
During the tourism and community development report, Dylan Hill announced that the city’s senior adult program continues to see increasing participation.
The recent Timeless Treasures lunch and learn drew approximately 45 senior adults. Centennial Bank presented a program about preparing finances for end-of-life matters and provided the meal. Amy Wiggins and Angie Shelton also presented a resource designed to help individuals organize information in preparation for end-of-life matters.
The growth of the senior program has also created transportation needs. A charter bus was rented for a previous trip, and another may be needed for an upcoming trip to Nashville.
A free showing of Driving Miss Daisy for senior adults in the area was also scheduled at the Luez Theater.
The city also helped prepare Hardeman County’s display for the Tennessee State Fair, where all 95 Tennessee counties have an opportunity to highlight their communities and attractions. {click here to read more about the Hardeman County display}
The mayor also addressed questions about the city’s purchase of a Mercedes Sprinter van used for the senior program, explaining that the used vehicle was purchased with grant funding rather than money from the city’s general fund.
Library Funding Agreement Remains Unresolved
A significant portion of the meeting centered on an update concerning the city and county’s funding of the library. No action was requested from the council.
Mayor McTizic said the city increased its library budget to bring library employee salaries in line with other city employees. He said he had initially believed the county had approved a corresponding increase, but later learned the amount approved by the county was less than anticipated. According to figures discussed during the meeting, the difference amounts to approximately $29,787 annually. The mayor said he wanted to speak with County Mayor Todd Pulse and give the county an opportunity to determine whether it would make a budget amendment before asking the city council to take any action. Council members noted that the city and county have established percentages for funding the library, identified during the meeting as a 52-48 split. Concern was expressed about the city absorbing the additional cost.
Mayor McTizic emphasized that he had not yet discussed the matter with Mayor Pulse and said the difference could have been an oversight. Once more information is received from the county, the matter is expected to return to the council for further consideration.
Council Approves Safety Grant Resolution
Under new business, the council approved Resolution 2026-0009 authorizing the city to participate in the Property Conservation Grant. The grant will be used to upgrade the library’s aging camera system, which is approximately 10 to 15 years old and unreliable. The grant provides up to $10,000 on a 50-50 matching basis, meaning the city would provide up to $5,000 toward the project.
The council also approved the appointment of Mary Ann Polk to the library board, replacing Mamie Polk.
A housing board appointment was postponed until next month. The council was told a replacement is needed following the resignation of Robert Parham from the board.
With no additional business, the council voted to adjourn.
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