Huntingdon Council Relinquishes Church Street, Hears Beer Sales Request

The Town of Huntingdon agreed to relinquish Church Street to Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church at their Council meeting, Tuesday, August 26, and heard a request from Cash Saver that could lead to changes in the town’s beer ordinance.

<img src="https://carrollobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_1284-1024x768.jpg" alt="Huntingdon Town Council members seated around the table during their August 26, 2025 meeting in Huntingdon, Tennessee, discussing issues including property tax rates, sewer billing, and beer ordinance changes. Photo by Jesse Joseph/ Carroll County Observer" class="wp-image-1973" style="width:452px;height:auto"/> HUNTINGDON COUNCIL – Huntingdon Town Council meets to discuss town business including Church Street, beer sales, and facility improvements . Photo by Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer

The Council also finalized the property tax rate, approved more fire department positions, awarded bids for town facility improvements, and more.

Property Tax and Sewer Rate

The council finalized its certified property tax rate at .7744 cents per $100 of assessed value, down from the prior year’s $1.24 after the countywide reappraisal .

This new tax rate represents the county's revenue-neutral rate, meaning that property taxes should be about the same for residents as last year.

Members also approved the second reading of a flat monthly sewer billing rate of $74.57 for customers living outside the corporate limits, replacing the per-gallon system.

Church Street

Harold Webb with Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church addressed the council regarding Church Street.

CHURCH STREET – Harold Webb with Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church presents drawings to explain the church’s request for ownership of Church Street. Photo by Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer

He presented drawings of the property to explain why the church wanted ownership of the street, which runs between Lexington and Moody streets.

Webb laid the drawings on the table and pointed to a lot located across Church Street from the Missionary Baptist Church's property.

"We bought this property about 15 years ago, and the street is separate from it," Webb said. "Our pavilion is on one side and the church is on the other, and we have kids running across the street. It’s a safety deal."

<img src="https://carrollobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-27-130350-1024x862.jpg" alt="Google Maps satellite image of Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church property in Huntingdon, Tennessee, showing Church Street running through the lot. The Huntingdon Town Council voted August 26, 2025, to relinquish ownership of the street to the church." class="wp-image-1980" style="width:520px;height:auto"/> PROPERTY VIEW – A Google Maps image shows Church Street running through the property of Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church. The council voted August 26 to relinquish ownership of the street to the church.

Webb also explained that semi trucks going through the area have damaged storm drains.

“We want the street to stay open,” Webb continued. “But we want to have the option to close it off when we need to.”

Mayor Chad Edwards quipped, "If we give [Church Street] to you, we don't want it back."

The council approved the request unanimously.

Cash Saver Beer Sales Request

Jackie Streetman, store supervisor for Huntingdon Cash Saver , asked the council to consider amending the ordinance that prohibits beer sales within 300 feet of a church, school, or park.

<img src="https://carrollobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/IMG_1287-1024x768.jpg" alt="Jackie Streetman of Huntingdon Cash Saver addresses the Town of Huntingdon Council during the August 26, 2025 meeting in Carroll County, Tennessee, requesting changes to the beer ordinance that currently prevents the store from selling beer. Photo by Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer" class="wp-image-1974" style="width:458px;height:auto"/> CASH SAVER REQUEST – Jackie Streetman, store supervisor for Huntingdon Cash Saver, speaks to the council about amending the town’s beer ordinance. Photo by Jesse Joseph/Carroll County Observer

Cash Saver’s property sits across East Main Street from Thomas Park, and under current measurement rules, which go from property line to property line, it falls within the prohibited distance.

Streetman said that the Huntingdon location is the only Cash Saver/EW James store that does not sell beer.

"All my other stores sell beer," she said. "There’s a lot of money to make in it, and more taxes we would pay on it."

Streetman added that prohibiting sales does not stop people from purchasing somewhere else.

"I think if people are going to drink, they’re going to drink," she said. "I just think it would be beneficial to us as a company if we could sell beer here in town."

Town Attorney, Robert T. Keeton, III explained that the town would just need to revise the ordinance to relax the distant requirement.

Changing the ordinance would also apply more broadly in other places in town. If passed, Hucks would be able to sell beer, where their proximity to Huntingdon Church of Christ currently prevents them from doing so.

Fire Department Staffing

The council also approved a request from Fire Chief John Fordon to increase the fire department's part-time roster from seven to twelve positions.

Council member Chad Barnhart said he asked for assurance that current schedules would not be disrupted, and was told the additional slots would help fill weekday coverage.

Facility Improvements

Additionally, the council awarded two separate project bids: a new roof for the Public Safety Office and a new HVAC unit for The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center.

The council awarded J&M Roofing the contract to replace the rubber roof on the Public Safety office. The project will fix persistent leaks in the building. The bid amount was $162,121.

They awarded J&S Professional Services the HVAC replacement bid for $22,429. According to the bid tabulation, The Dixie will get a new 12.5 ton rooftop package heating and cooling unit.

Other Business

Huntingdon's Council also approved the purchase of a John Deere backhoe loader for the Street Department at $147,364.

They also retroactively approved an emergency procurement of a lime feeder for the water system at $19,750.

The council also approved two events scheduled at Edwards Park: a basketball tournament on August 31 and a kickball tournament on September 6.

A Beer Board meeting followed the meeting.

Huntingdon's next council meeting is Tuesday, September 23 at 5:15 p.m.

Huntingdon Council Relinquishes Church Street, Hears Beer Sales Request

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