Courthouse Closed Jan. 19; Solid Waste and Commission Meet Jan. 20

The Decatur County Courthouse was closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and county officials opened a slate of public meetings Tuesday to address solid waste governance and three county commission vacancies. The scheduling shifts service access and civic engagement opportunities for residents this week.

The Decatur County Solid Waste Board convened at 4:30 PM Tuesday at the courthouse to review matters related to local waste operations. The meeting notice included the county’s accessibility and non-discrimination statements and invited members of the public to contact the Mayor’s office for accommodations if needed. The board’s public-facing scheduling is a key touchpoint for residents concerned about service delivery, collection schedules, and environmental compliance in unincorporated areas.

Following the Solid Waste Board, the Decatur County Commission held its regular monthly meeting at 6:00 PM at the Decatur County Courthouse, 22 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN. The commission agenda includes consideration of filling three vacancies: two positions for District 7 and one position for District 8. Those appointments will directly affect who represents roughly half of the county commission districts referenced in the notice and could influence local policy priorities and oversight of county services.

The commission’s notice set out a structured public input process to promote orderly participation. A 15-minute public input session began at 6:00 PM. Speakers were required to sign in at least 15 minutes before the meeting start and were limited to three minutes each. Members of the public were also asked to provide copies of any written materials for commissioners. The notice referenced Agenda 01.20.2026 and listed past agendas for reference, reinforcing transparency around topics under consideration. The county reiterated its policy on reasonable accommodations and access for those with disabilities.

For Decatur County residents, the back-to-back meetings underscore how local governance and daily services intersect. The courthouse closure on the holiday shifted in-person access to county offices but did not alter the timeline for crucial decisions being made at the commission meeting. Filling two District 7 seats and one District 8 seat will change voting dynamics on future ordinances, budget items, and service oversight, including solid waste policy.

What comes next will depend on the commission’s selections and any follow-up actions from the Solid Waste Board. Residents who want to weigh in or monitor outcomes should note the procedures for public comment, arrive early to sign in, and provide written materials to the commission. The county’s published agenda materials offer the clearest roadmap for issues likely to affect local services and representation.