Decatur County schedules Feb. 9 quarterly meeting; time and location disputed

Conflicting public notices and social posts created uncertainty about where and when Decatur County’s quarterly meeting took place on Feb. 9, sowing confusion for residents who planned to attend.

A legal public notice published in The News Leader stated, "Decatur County, Tennessee will hold its quarterly meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Perryville Baptist." The notice gives no street address for Perryville Baptist. By contrast, an Instagram post fragment listed a meeting "on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Civic Center Auditorium (16327" — a time and location that conflict with the legal notice and include an incomplete address.

Local media audio and web snippets confirm the county runs quarterly evening meetings, but do not settle the Feb. 9 discrepancy. WTRE reported that "Decatur County Commissioners had the first of evening meetings which are being held quarterly" and that "Board President Mark Koors gives a rundown of the Monday meeting which started out with recognition for Charles 'Chuck' Emsweller who passed away last week." The WTRE excerpt does not explicitly tie that rundown to the Feb. 9 date in the available text.

The scheduling dispute had practical implications. Decatur County Schools posted that "Decatur County Schools will be in session on Monday, February 9, 2026. A regular schedule will be followed; however, bus drivers will use their discretion to determine which roads are safe to travel. Students will be excused if transportation is unavailable or if other weather-related conditions prevent attendance. Parents should communicate any attendance concerns directly with their school’s administration." That guidance meant some residents who rely on school transportation or who plan schedules around the school day could have missed or been delayed in attending the county meeting.

Other county notices this month reinforced the need for clear calendars. Parks and Recreation is holding two systemwide plan input sessions: Meeting #1 on Wednesday, February 11 at noon at the Decatur County Civic Center, 190 Civic Lane, Parsons, TN 38363; Meeting #2 on Tuesday, February 17 at 6 PM in the Decatur County Courthouse Courtroom, 22 West Main Street, Decaturville, TN 38329. The county also posted, "NOTICE - The Decatur County Courthouse will be closed Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents' Day." Separately, a public notice states, "The Commission will look to fill a vacancy for District 2 School Board. Any persons interested should attend." That commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Decatur County Courthouse, with the Budget Committee listed to meet at 5:30 PM.

To avoid misdirecting the public, county officials should confirm which Feb. 9 notice is authoritative. Residents and media seeking clarification can contact the Decatur County Mayor’s office at dcurtis@decaturcountytn.gov or by phone at 731-852-2131. Note that a separate Decatur County in Iowa held a public hearing Feb. 9 at 9:00 a.m. in Leon, Iowa; that jurisdiction is distinct and should not be conflated with local Tennessee business.

Clear, consistent scheduling from county offices matters for turnout and accountability. Confirmed meeting times, full addresses for venues such as Perryville Baptist, and published agendas will help ensure the public can participate in decisions that affect schools, parks, budgeting, and local governance.