McMinn County
McMinn County was organized on November 12, 1819
and its government was established in March of 1820. It was named after Joseph
McMinn, a Calhoun resident, who was Governor of Tennessee at the time of the
organization. Joseph McMinn was active in the political constitutional convention
in Knoxville. He personally delivered Tennessee’s proposed constitution to
President George Washington. Joseph McMinn’s public service career included
eight terms in the General Assembly, three as speaker of the Senate, and three
terms as Tennessee’s fifth governor from 1815 to 1821. He later served as an
agent to the Cherokees. Joseph McMinn died in 1824 and is buried in Calhoun.
Even though McMinn County had experienced many
trying times in its long history, the Civil War was undoubtedly the county’s
crisis point. With the county sharply divided over the question of secession,
the adage of “brother against brother” took on true relevance. The county was
never site to any large battles, but numerous skirmishes did occur as both sides
struggled for control of both the Hiwassee River bridge at Calhoun and the
county's rail lines. McMinn County sent men to fight on both sides of the war
and the county itself changed hands many times during the war. General William
Tecumseh Sherman used the Bridges Hotel in Athens as his headquarters and
reportedly developed a real affection for the town. A strong Unionist and
Tennessee's first post-war governor, William G. “Parson” Brownlow, served
as minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, the forerunner of the
present Keith Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens.
McMinn County recovered from the wounds of the
war and began its evolution from an agricultural community to an industrial one.
The textile, railroading and lumber industries were some of the first in the county.
Today McMinn County is a largely industrial county with major companies producing
goods as diverse as automobile components, farm equipment, furniture, chemicals,
clothing and newsprint. Bowater Inc., located in Calhoun is the world's largest
producer of newsprint.
Government
As with other counties in Tennessee, McMinn’s government is
composed of offices established by the state Constitution and
other appointed positions. There is a three-way system, such
as in the federal government, of legislative, judicial and executive
branches.
All of the agencies combine to serve the
county’s more than 50,000 residents.
The following is a list of county office holders:
County Commission
The McMinn County Commission is the legislative branch of county government
composed of 10 members who represent the five districts in the county. The
panel's primary functions are budget approval and policy-making.
Members are elected to four-year terms. Commission members are: District
1 - Bob Powers and Owen Vincent. District 2 - Gary Mason and J.W.
McPhail. District 3 - Jack Powers and Roger Masingale. District 4 - Willard
“Dale” Holbrook. District 5 - David Crews and Scott Curtis.
The Commission meets the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the
Commission Chambers in the basement floor of the McMinn County Courthouse.
For more information on the McMinn County Commission call 745-7634.
County Mayor
The county mayor serves as chief administrator of McMinn County and is
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the general fund.
The county mayor is elected to a fouryear term. John Gentry is the current
office-holder.
Gentry's office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the courthouse. The office is
located on the main floor of the courthouse.
The office can be reached at 745-7634.
County Clerk
Duties of the county clerk range from serving as secretary to the County
Commission to keeper of various public records to conducting a great deal of taxation
activities within the county.
The county clerk is elected to a four-year term, and the office is currently held by
Evonne M. Jones.
The office is located in the McMinn County
Courthouse Annex in the Madison Park Shopping Center in downtown Athens. The
office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m.
until noon on Saturdays. For more information, call 745-4440.
Register of Deeds
The register of deeds records real estate conveyances, deeds of trust, leases, charters,
bonds of county officials, contracts and other documents, making certified copies of
these forms when needed. The register of deeds is elected to a four-year term.
Nadean Cunningham holds the office.
The office is located on the main floor of the courthouse. It is open from 8 a.m. to
4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 745-1232.
Trustee
The trustee receives and disburses all monies that are paid to the county by other
county officials as well as state and federal funds, and collects property taxes, personal
taxes and public utility taxes.
The trustee is elected to a four-year term. Phil Tuggle is the office-holder.
The office is located on the main floor of the courthouse. Office hours are from 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The office can be reached at the courthouse at 745-1291.
Property Assessor
The property assessor inventories all parcels of real estate and all tangible, real
and intangible personal property in McMinn County. The property assessor also
maintains tax maps and property cards, collects tax receipts and prepares tax books
and notices.
The property assessor is elected to a four-year term. Don Cowart is the current
property tax assessor. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday at the courthouse. Once courthouse renovations are completed, this main-floor
office will essentially remain in the same location and will be expanded slightly.
For more information, call 745-2743.
Finance and Purchasing
The director of finance oversees expenditures and budgeting for county departments.
The director of finance is appointed by the County Commission and serves at the
will of its Management Committee.
Jason Luallen is the director of finance.
The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the courthouse.
The office is located on the main floor in the area formerly occupied by the
county clerk's office.
For more information, call 745-4103.
Veterans Affairs
The veterans service officer assists Tennessee veterans and their families
obtain state and federal benefits.
Tom Green currently serves in the position, which is appointed by the county
executive.
The office is located in the McMinn
County Courthouse Annex in Madison Park Shopping Center. Office hours are
still 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 744-1605.
Election Commission
The McMinn County Election Commission and the administrator of
elections oversee the holding of local elections and voter registration.
Election commissioners serve two-year terms. Members of the panel are recommended
by state legislators and appointed by the Tennessee Election
Commission. The administrator of elections serves at the pleasure of the
Election Commission.
The Election Commission's members currently are Chairman Fred Frazier, Ray
Simmons, Secretary Cecilia Jack, Paul Mullins and TeAnna McKinney. Loretta
Sliger serves as the administrator of elections.
The office is currently located in the McMinn County Courthouse Annex in
Madison Park Shopping Center in Athens. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to
4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 745-0843.
Emergency Preparedness
Betty Hamby, McMinn County Emergency Management Agency Director.
The department oversees civil defense and emergency preparedness.
The department can be reached at 744-5256.
Highway Department
The Highway Department is responsible for building and maintaining county roads
and bridges.
The head of the department, the Highway Commissioner, is elected to a
four-year term. Randall Moss is the officeholder. Located on Old Niota Road in
Athens, the office is open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 745-1820.
Sheriff
The sheriff oversees the administration of law enforcement and operations at the
McMinn County Justice Center. The sheriff and deputies conduct criminal investigations,
serve warrants and provide officers for court security.
The sheriff is elected to a four-year term. Steve Frisbie is the current officeholder.
The Justice Center is located at 1319 South White Street.
For more information, call 745-5622.
District Attorney General
The District Attorney General is the chief law enforcement officer for McMinn,
Bradley, Polk and Monroe counties, which make up the 10th Judicial District. The district
attorney also is specifically charged with preparing and prosecuting all criminal
cases and other cases in which the state has an interest. The district attorney
is elected to an eight-year term. Jerry Estes is the current office-holder.
The office, located at 130 Washington Ave., Athens, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5
p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
For more information, call 744-2830.
Public Defender
The public defender serves as the courtappointed legal representative for indigent
defendants involved in criminal cases in McMinn, Bradley, Polk and Monroe counties.
The public defender is elected to an eight-year term. Richard Hughes is the current
office-holder.
The main office is located in Cleveland at 53A Central Ave. The Athens office is at
110 1/2 Washington Ave. Both offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday, except holidays.
For more information, call the Athens office at 746-5418. The Cleveland office can
be reached at (423) 478-0348.
Judges
Chancery and Circuit court judges try civil cases such as negligence, personal
injury, malpractice and product liability and non-jury cases. Chancery Court, the
court of equity, specializes in contractual law, insurance and worker's compensation
matters.
Criminal Court judges have jurisdiction in criminal cases which originate in the
city courts, General Sessions Court and from the Grand Jury.
The trial-level judges serve McMinn, Monroe, Polk and Bradley counties.
General Sessions Court is a small claims court with jurisdiction limited to
$3,000. Misdemeanor criminal and juvenile trials are also held here, as well as
probable cause hearings in felony cases.
All judges are elected to eight-year terms. Current office-holders are
Chancellor Jerri Bryant, Criminal Court judges Steve Bebb and Carroll
Ross, and Circuit Court judges Larry Puckett and John Hagler. Judge James
Watson presides over General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court.
The judges can be reached through the Circuit Court Clerk's office at 745-
1923. Chancellor Jerri Bryant maintains an office in the courthouse and
can be reached at 745-1717.
Circuit Court Clerk
The Circuit Court clerk is responsible for all records generated in Circuit,
Criminal, General Sessions, Probate and Juvenile courts and the Grand
Jury. The clerk also issues warrants and collects fines.
The circuit court clerk is elected for a four-year term. Norma Corn White is
the current office-holder.
The office is currently located on the top floor of the courthouse. It is open
Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday 8:15
a.m. to noon.
For more information, call 745-1923.
Clerk and Master
The clerk and master is responsible for all records generated from Chancery
Court. The position is appointed to a six-year term.
Patty Gaines is the current clerk and master.
The office is located on the basement floor of the courthouse. It is open 8:30
a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on
Friday.
For more information, call 745-1281.
Incorporated cities within McMinn County
include Athens, the county seat;
Etowah;
Calhoun;
Englewood and
Niota.
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