HSUD's Jones asks to work with TVA

Wayne Jones, general manager of the Holly Springs Utility Department, recommended several measures to work with the Tennessee Valley Authority at the Aug. 6 meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen.

He asked for permission to work with CSA, (Central Service Association) to allow TVA auditor Melissa Bledsoe to work with accounts manager Annie Mason to look over the records.

The measure has been opposed by Mayor Sharon Gipson from the outset.

Jones said TVA’s auditor has to come in to help reconcile HSUD’s financial reports to the regulatory authority.

“I’m definitely opposed to it,” Gipson said, “based on the fact TVA threatened litigation. I definitely think it would not be in the best interest of Holly Springs. So, I am quite troubled. The city of Holly Springs would have to pay for this.”

“That is correct,” Jones said.

“We would definitely put the city at risk when TVPPA (Tennessee Valley Public Power Association) went to the PSC (Public Service Commission) and did not tell the improvements we have made, especially at this time of litigation, that TVA went to the PSC and that we were not allowed,” Gipson said.

Ward 4 alderman Patricia Merriweather made a motion to give Jones permission to allow TVA access to HSUD’s information.

Alderman-at-large Dexter Shipp seconded the motion.

Ward 1 alderman Bernita Fountain, present at the meeting via telephone, said she believed the other two board members, Ward 2 alderman Andre Jones and Ward 3 alderman Colter Teel, should be present so all board members could vote.

The measure to allow the TVA’s representative in to reconcile the financial reports it has received from HSUD passed 2-1 with Fountain voting against the measure.

Gipson vetoed the measure to allow Jones to execute an agreement allowing a contractor selected by TVA to assess the City of Holly Springs records Aug. 7.

Merriweather and Shipp called a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 8, to attempt to override the mayor’s veto.

But an error in the notice posted for the special meeting caused the attempt to override the mayor’s veto to be rescheduled to Aug. 9.

With all aldermen present and Shipp presiding, a motion to override Gipson’s veto passed by unanimous vote of the board, 4-0, with Shipp unable to vote because he was presiding.