Tuesday, October 19, 2010 9:36 am

The departure of seven employees from the Cannon County Sheriff's Department in August has cost Cannon County taxpayers over $20,000.

The Cannon County Commission voted Saturday to pay the money to the employees, who left when former Sheriff Billy Nichols lost his bid for re-election. The total amount is $22,231.06.

The money is owed the former employees because it is for accrued vacation days, according to Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon.

Those receiving the money and the amounts are:

Charlie Wilder, $7,480.00.

Brad Hall, $4,606.16.

Vance Walker, $3,427.94.

Patrick Fann, $3,411.36.

Anna Nichols, $1,822.40.

Loretta Bailey, $741.60.

Andy Bryson, $741.60.

The sheriff has the authority to set the leave and vacation policies for the department, separate from the rest of county government, Gannon said.

Gannon said it is his understanding the county's new sheriff, Darrell Young, is looking at changing the policy so that leave or vacation days can not be carried over.

The money to pay the former employees will come out of the sheriff's department budget for the current fiscal year. Gannon said it is likely Sheriff Young will have to come before the commission to ask for additional funding before the end of the year.

In other action the Commission:

• Approved adding $44,320 to the Cannon County School System's General Fund Budget for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year. The addition money was necessary because state law requires the Local Education Authority (LEA) to have a budget that does not supplant state dollars for local. Due to a decrease in the amount of property taxes paid, the school system's share of the property tax brought in less money. If the commission had not transferred the money to the school system, it stood to lose over $12 million in state funding.

• Approved an amendment to the 2010-2011 General Purpose School Budget of an increase in revenue of $150,000 and an equal increase in expenditures of $150,000. The money is from an Agriculture Enhancement Grant and will be used for the purpose of constructing a pavilion at Cannon County High School.

• Approved an amendment to the 2010-2011 General Purpose School Budget of an increase in revenue of $19,155 and an equal increase in expenditures of $19,155. The money is from a SNAP Grant and will be used to purchase consumable school supplies for children whose parents are eligible for food stamps.

• Approved Resolution 2010-8, which authorizes and empowers the County Emergency Medical Serviced Director and the County Executive to apply for a Community Facilities Loan through the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development in an amount not to exceed $160,000.

• Approved Resolution 2010-9, authorizing the county to apply for a grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. If received, the money would be used to purchase solid waste recycling equipment.

• Elected County Executive Mike Gannon as commission Chairman and Mark Barker as Chairman Pro-Tem.

• Reappointed Dr. Leon Reuhland as Cannon County Medical Examiner. Dr. Reuhland serves in the position at no charge to the county.