County Officials
The Washington County Commission
Once called the County Court, the modern County Commission actually functions as the legislative body of county government, working primarily through the committee system. There are five standing committees and numerous other committees boards and commissions whose vote functions as a recommendation to the full County Commission. Whether it is payment of bills, approval of expenditures, approval of the budget, zoning changes or new legislation, committee actions do not take on the color of law until approved by a vote of the full commission. There are 25 commissioners in Washington County, serving in nine commission districts. Each commission district comprises several of the 40 Civil Districts, each of which is a voting precinct. Originally there were 18 Civil Districts, but population growth has caused urban precincts to be subdivided in order to effect proportional distribution. One vestige of the old County Court days is that County Commissioners can still perform marriages.

1st Commission District (Civil Districts 10-T, 11-E, 11-I, 11-L and 11-WI)
Greg Matherly 404 Brookwood Drive
Gray 37615		 Phone 282-0503
Pete Speropulos III P.O. Box 4384 
Johnson City 37602		 Phone 914-1962
Paul F. Woodby 137 Glen Oaks 
Gray 37615		 Phone 477-4604
2nd Commission District (Civil Districts 9-3, 9-6, 10-P, and 10-I)
Sam Humphreys 708 E. Mountain View Road 
Johnson City 37601		 Phone 282-5565
C.B. Kinch Jr. 1605 Hickory Court 
Johnson City 37601		 Phone 928-3271
Peggy Richardson 1503 Squibb Drive 
Johnson City 37601 		Phone 928-4573
3rd Commission District (Civil Districts 9-7W, 9-9, 9-10 and 10-S)
Mark Hicks, Jr. 805 Xanadu Court 
Johnson City 37604		 Phone 282-3075
Frank Bolus 2204 Nave Dr.,  
Johnson City 37601 		Phone 854-9953
James T. Powell 1705 Knoll Drive
Johnson City 37601		 Phone 928-1982
4th Commission District (Civil Districts 9-1, 9-5 and 9-8)
Phil McPeak 1701 Galen Drive 
Johnson City 37604		 Phone 926-3632
Sid Campbell 203 W. Gilmer Park 
Johnson City 37604		 Phone 926-1718
Wendell Messimer 175 E. Highland Road 
Johnson City 37601		 Phone 928-4407
5th Commission District (Civil Districts 4, 8-2, 8-14 and 8-15)
William Biles 1009 Beechwood Drive 
Johnson City 37604		 Phone 929-3666
Ron England P.O. Box 5930
Johnson City 37602-5930		 Phone 943-0944
Richard Matherly 4117 Cherokee Road 
Jonesborough 37659		 Phone 753-0769
6th Commission District (Civil Districts 8-1, 8-16, 9-7A, 11-M, 15-1 and 15-2)
Kyle Shell 1323 Shell Road
Jonesborough 37659 		Phone 753-3277
Gerald Sparks 824 Shell Road 
Jonesborough 37659		 Phone 753-9500
Mark Ferguson 312 Jim Range Road 
Jonesborough 37659		 Phone 753-2816
7th Commission District (Civil Districts 12-C, 12-E, 12-W, 14 and 16)
Richard Shadden 954 Shadden Road
Johnson City 37615		 Phone 753-6064
Mark Larkey 114 Elizabeth Ave. 
Gray 37615		 Phone 477-3024
Janice White 173 Moore Road 
Jonesborough 37659		 Phone 753-6693
8th Commission District (Civil Districts 3, 7, 13, 17, 18)
Ben Bowman 327 Carson Creek Road 
Limestone 37681		 Phone 257-6631
Evert Jarrett 2375 Old State Rt.34 
Limestone 37681		 Phone 257-5582
9th Commission District (Civil Districts 1, 2, 5 and 6)
Daniel Edens 123 Pecanwood Drive 
Jonesborough 37659 		Phone 753-4641
Pat Wolfe 2467 Highway 11-E 
Telford 37690		 Phone 753-9025

County commissioners are elected in the regular August election for a four-year term which begins Sept. 1. County commissioners must reside within and be a qualified voter of the district represented. County employees otherwise qualified to serve may hold office as a legislative body member. However, no person elected or appointed as county executive, sheriff, trustee, register, county clerk, assessor of property, or any other countywide office filled by popular vote or by the legislative body may be nominated for or elected to the legislative body. If a commission member accepts nomination for any of the above offices, or for the General Assembly when the office is being filled by the legislative body, that member becomes disqualified to continue in office and a vacancy in the commission will automatically exist. The County commission sets its meeting dates and place, but must meet at least four times a year. Vacancies are filled by the remaining commission members until a successor is elected in the next general election.

 

County Officials
Washington County Commission Member Profiles

Do you need to find out information, express your view?
Please contact your County Commissioner:

Greg Matherly, District 1
404 Brookwood Drive
Gray, TN 37615
282-0503
e-mail to: matherly177@yahoo.com
Washington County Sheriff's Dept.
Serving third term on Commission.

  • Beer Board

  • E-911 Committee

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee

Pete Speropulos III, District 1
P.O. Box 4384
Johnson City, TN 37602
914-1962
e-mail to: psper33@aol.com
Area contractor
Serving second term on commission.

  • Budget Committee

  • Jail Expansion Committee

  • Public Safety Committee, Chairman

  • Rules Committee

  • Zoning Office Committee


Paul F. Woodby, District 1
137 Glen Oaks Drive
Gray, TN 37615
477-4604
e-mail to: abailawaypaul@hotmail.com
Retired Account Manager, Yellow Freight Systems
Serving fourth term on commission.

  • Beer Board

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee

  • Rules Committee


Sam Humphreys, District 2
708 E. Mountain View Rd.
Johnson City, TN 37601
282-5565
e-mail to: samhumphreys@gmail.com
Retired Educator
Serving second term on commission.

  • Archives Committee

  • General Health & Welfare Committee


C.B. Kinch Jr., District 2
1605 Hickory Court
Johnson City, TN 37601
928-3271
e-mail to: tristateequipment@yahoo.com
Area business owner
Serving second term on commission.

  • Beer Board

  • Budget Committee

  • City-County Liaison

  • Economic Development Board

  • Public Works and Planning Committee, Chairman

  • Work Release Committee

  • Zoning Office Committee


Peggy Richardson, District 2
1503 Squibb Drive
Johnson City, TN 37601
928-4573
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Housewife
Serving second term on commission

  • County-Owned Property Committee

  • Jail Expansion Committee

  • Public Safety Committee


Mark Hicks, Jr., District 3
805 Xanadu Court
Johnson City, TN 37604
282-3075
e-mail to: markhicksjr@yahoo.com
Retired Attorney
Serving first term on Commission.


  • City-County Liaison

  • Ethics Committee

  • Education Committee

  • J.C. Development Authority

  • State Property Tax Relief Committee


Frank Bolus, District 3
2204 Nave Dr.
Johnson City, TN 37601
854-9953
e-mail to: frankbolus@charter.net
Retired Federal Aviation Administration
Serving second term on commission


  • City-County Liaison

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee, Chairman


James T. Powell, District 3
1705 Knoll Drive
Johnson City, TN 37601
928-1982
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Safety Director & maintenance supervisor
for Washington County.
Serving fifth term on commission.

  • Beer Board

  • Jail Expansion Committee

  • Public Safety Committee

  • Work Release Committee


Phil McPeak, District 4
1701 Galen Drive
Johnson City, TN 37604
926-3632
e-mail to: philmcpeak@state.tn.us
Vocational Rehab Counselor at S.H.H.S
Serving second term on commission.

  • Agriculture Extension Committee

  • General Health & Welfare Committee

  • Rules Committee


Sid Campbell, District 4
203 W. Gilmer Park
Johnson City, TN 37604
926-1718
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Former City Commissioner, Johnson City
Serving fourth term on commission

  • General Health & Welfare Committee

  • Legislative Liaison Committee

  • Purchasing Committee

  • Records Committee


Wendell Messimer, District 4
175 E. Highland Rd.
Johnson City, TN 37601
928-4407
e-mail: awmessimer@earthlink.net
Retired Principal, Johnson City Schools
Serving fifth term on commission.

  • City-County Liaison

  • EMS Committee

  • General Health & Welfare Committee

  • Investment Committee

  • Solid Waste Committee

  • Johnson City Power Board



William Biles, District 5
1009 Beechwood Dr.
Johnson City, TN 37604
929-3666
e-mail to: bill.biles@state.tn.us
Professional industrial hygienist
Serving third term on commission

  • EMS Committee

  • Public Safety Committee

  • Rules Committee


Ron England District 5
P.O. Box 5930
Johnson City, TN 37602-5930
943-0944
e-mail to: englandr@wcde.org
Educator and former sheriff
Serving first term on commission.

  • County-Owned Property Committee

  • Education Committee, Chairman

  • Rules Committee

  • Solid Waste Committee


Richard Matherly District 5
4117 Cherokee Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-0769
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Court security officer, U.S. District Court, Greeneville
Serving second term on commission.

  • City-County Liaison

  • County Owned Property Committee

  • Public Works & Planning Committee

  • Zoning Office Committee


Kyle Shell, District 6
1323 Shell Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-3277
e-mail: cjskws@aol.com
Area Business owner
Serving sixth term on commission.


  • Agriculture Extension Committee

  • Beer Board

  • E-911 Committee

  • Ethics Committee

  • General Health & Welfare Committee, Chairman

  • Purchasing Committee

  • Solid Waste Committee


Gerald Sparks, District 6
824 Shell Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-9500
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
General contracting & constuction business operator
Serving second term on commission.

  • Budget Committee

  • Jail Expansion Committee

  • Planning Committee

  • Public Works & Planning Committee

  • Purchasing Committee, Chairman

  • State Property Tax Relief Committee


Mark Ferguson, District 6
312 Jim Range Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-2816
e-mail to: markandmatt1@yahoo.com
Area business owner
Serving first term on commission.

  • Archives Committee

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee

  • County-Owned Property Committee

  • Purchasing Committee


Richard Shadden, District 7
954 Shadden Road
Johnson City, TN 37615
753-6064
e-mail to: appfair@embarqmail.com
Manager Appalachian Fairgrounds
Appointed on August 24, 2009 to finish serving vacant seat.

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee



Mark Larkey, District 7
114 Elizabeth Avenue
Gray, TN 37615
477-3024
e-mail to: mlarkey@comcast.net
Self-Employed
Serving first term on commission.



  • Education Committee

  • Library Committee

  • Planning Committee


Janice White, District 7
173 Moore Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-6693
e-mail to: jwhitestar@embarqmail.com
Retired real estate agent
Serving second term on commission.

  • County-Owned Property Committee, Chair

  • Education Committee

  • Water Task Force Committee, Chair

  • Zoning Office Committee, Chair


Ben Bowman, District 8
327 Carson Creek Road
Limestone, TN 37681
257-6631
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Johnson City Power Board
Serving first term on commission.

  • Agriculture Extension Committee

  • Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee

  • Ethics Committee

  • Water Task Force Committee


Evert Jarrett, District 8
2375 Old State Rt. 34
Limestone, TN 37681
257-5582
e-mail to: e-mail address not available
Self-employed
Serving seventh term on commission.

  • Jail Expansion Committee

  • Public Works and Planning Committee

  • Work Release Committee



Daniel Edens, District 9
123 Pecanwood Drive
Jonesborough, TN 37659
753-4641
e-mail to: dde63@embarq.net
Town of Jonesborough, Meter Dept.
Serving first term on commission.


  • Public Safety Committee

  • Solid Waste Committee



Pat Wolfe, District 9
2467 U.S. Highway 11E
Telford, TN 37690
753-9025
e-mail to: patw@newpeoplesbank.com
Banker
Serving third term on commission.

  • Budget Committee, Chairman

  • Economic Development Board

  • Education Committee

  • Investment Committee

  • Rules Committee

  • Water Task Force Committee

County Officials
Washington County Sheriff - Edwin Graybeal Jr.

e-mail to: sheriffgraybeal@wcso.net
Washington County Emergency Services
For Emergency Dial 9-1-1

Administrative Phone: 423.788.1414

After Sheriff Fred Phillips' resigned on January 15, 2003 to accept the position of Commissioner of the Department of Safety in Governor Phil Bredesen's Cabinet, Graybeal was selected as interim sheriff until the Washington County Commission met on January 27, 2003 and unanimously elected him to serve as sheriff until the next general election. Graybeal was then elected by the voting public to serve out the remainder of the term as Sheriff on August 5, 2004, and then re-elected in August 2006 to serve another four year term.

Sheriff Graybeal began his government career as an employee with the Washington County Highway Department in 1979. He became deputy for the Sheriff's Department a year later, and then in 1981 he was promoted to sergeant.

Graybeal was promoted to lieutenant in 1991 and supervised the support services division. In 1992 he became the commander of the criminal investigations division. In 1993 he was transferred to the patrol division where he became watch commander in 1994.

In 1996 Graybeal was promoted to major and was made the executive officer for the sheriff's department. In November 2002, he was promoted to chief deputy.

The sheriff and deputies are the conservators of the peace in the county and may enforce the civil and criminal laws. They also serve legal process, take custody of the jail or workhouse and the prisoners, and may deputize any citizen of the county to assist in carrying out the duties of the office.

The sheriff is elected to a four-year term and must
have the following qualifications:

  • twenty-one years of age;

  • a qualified voter of the county;

  • a high school graduate or equivalent;

  • no felony convictions by a U.S. federal, state or territorial count;

  • no armed forces discharge but an honorable discharge;

  • fingerprints of file with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation;

  • free from apparent mental disorders;

  • a citizen of the United States and Tennessee;

  • not a member of the General Assembly or practicing attorney.


The sheriff may collect fees, which are turned over to the
trustee. However, the office is always on the salary system, through appropriations for salaries and expenses paid out of the county general fund rather than fees to help insure the fair and impartial administration of law enforcement duties.

Any newly employed deputy, special or part-time deputy must meet certain minimum standards similar to those required for sheriffs.

For more information you may contact the Sheriff's Department at 423-788-1414, or click on the following link to visit their website:www.wcso.net
County Officials
Washington County Trustee - Jack D. Daniels

Courthouse in Jonesborough
P.O. Box 215
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: 423.753.1602
wctrustee@naxs.net

Daniels is serving his sixth term as County Trustee.

The trustee acts of the general banker for the county, serving three primary functions:

  • he collects property taxes

  • he receives and disburses county funds

  • he manages the county's cash flow


Property taxes are one of the county's most important revenue sources. The trustee sends out statements in October and collects and issues receipts prior to the February deadline. He authorizes a uniform chart of county accounts administered by the county audit division, deposits funds daily and makes disbursements on official county warrants.

Monthly and annual financial statements are issued. He is also charged with investing idle funds and working with the County Finance Committee to ensure investments are made according to state law and produce maxiumum earnings with the highest degree of safety.
County Officials
Washington County Register of Deeds - Ginger Jilton

Register of Deeds Office
Courthouse in Jonesborough
P.O. Box 69
Jonesborough, TN 37659
Phone: 423.753.1644

Any deed filed in the last 46 years, (1964 to present), can be found and printed by clicking on www.titlesearcher.com. Trial users can register for single time or 30 day free access.

After serving 23 years in the Register of Deeds office, including over 20 years as chief deputy, Ginger Jilton was elected to her first term as Register in August, 1998, and was re-elected in August 2006 to serve her third term. Her arrival in the top position coincided with state funding for modernization of register of deeds offices becoming available statewide. She has pledged to research the possibilities of making online computer services available to regular users of the office, and to open a satellite office in the Downtown Centre for the conveninece of the citizens, which could be linked by computer to records in the Jonesborough Courthouse. In addition, Ms. Jilton and her staff have scanned & are in the process of indexing the oldest books of record in the office, beginning in 1783 to 1924 (141 years). In 2008 she implemented an E-filing system which enables the office to receive & record instruments by E-mail, further accomidating the public.

The register is elected to a four-year term, and operates under a fee system to pay salaries and other expenses, while remitting excess fees quarterly to the county general fund. The register's primary function is to make and preserve a record of instruments required or allowed by law to be filed or recorded, including but not limited to deeds, powers of attorney, morgages, liens, contracts, plats, leases, papers under the Uniform Commercial Code and other types of instruments. The register provides public notice of property ownership, liens, contracts and other transactions that affect the public interest. The register's office is in the county seat, and the records and papers must remain in the office at all times.

The register has specific directions on how to index, record and maintain the records. This includes the following functions:

  • require specific information on instruments registered in the office;

  • perform the assigned tasks in a diligent manner;

  • carefully place the time of receipt of instruments into the notebook

  • record the instruments into the correct book

  • index the instrument properly;

  • keep accurate records of the fees, commissions and taxes collected;

  • keep accurate office expense records;

  • made reports on the fees, commissions, and expenses to the county;

  • make reports on the taxes collected to the revenue department

County Officials
Washington County Clerk - Doyle Cloyd


Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Jonesborough Courthouse &
Johnson City Downtown Centre

Jonesborough - 423.753-1622
Johnson City - 423.461-1440

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 218
Jonesborough, TN 37659

Cloyd is serving his fourth term as Washington County Clerk. During this time he has shortened the turn-around time on auto titles from 10-12 weeks to 3-7 days, and can now issue replacements for lost titles on the spot. New computers have also reduced time spent waiting in line for licenses and titles.

Elected to a four-year term, the County Clerk performs a variety of functions:


County Officials
Assessor of Property - Scott Buckingham 423.753.1670

Buckingham, is currently serving his appointed term as Assessor after being voted in by the Washington County Board of Commissioners during the July 27, 2009 meeting.

Scott had served two terms as County Commissioner for District 7 until being appointed Assessor, and brings a vast knowledge of the housing market as he was owner of Buckingham Construction Company. He and his office staff bring professional and courteous service to the public.

Assessor of Property is responsible for locating, listing, classify and value all properties inside Washington County, Tennessee.
1. Locate: Land, Building, Changes, Subdivisions...etc.
2. List: All the property's improvements and the land value.
3. Classify: Residential-25%, Commercial & Industrial-40%, Farm-25%, Exempt-0%, Public Utility(personal & real)-55%, Personal Property-30%.
4. Value: 3 ways to determine value (1. Market Approach, 2. Cost Approach, 3. Income Approach).

There are two classes of property: (1) Personal Property and (2) Real Property.
1. Personal Property: Consist of furniture, machinery, equipment, fixtures and other items that are moveable.
*****Personal Property schedule is required to be filed by March 1st of each year.
2. Real Property: Is considered structures, land, all buildings and improvements.

His second basic function is appraisal of property, upon which the assessed value is calculated. This is done by applying the classification percentage as stated in the Tennessee Constitution to the appraised value of the property and to be completed by May 20th of each year. This amount is taxed according to the rate established by the County Commission.

To keep appraisals current, reappraisals are done in a continuous five-year cycle. This reappraisal is to ensure market value and equity throughout Washington County. Each parcel of property is reviewed during reappraisal.
***Appeals can be made to the County Equalization Board and on to the State Board of Equalization.


He is also required to keep current indexes of taxpayers and to maintain the property maps of the county. Washington County has GIS (Geographic Information System) on CAD System. Maps are updated showing combined parcels, split of parcels, surveys, subdivision...etc. These maps are stored for the viewing of the public in the Assessor's office.
The assessor is authorized by statute to appoint one deputy for each 4,500 parcels in the county. Each deputy has the same power, duties and liabilities as the assessor concerning the appraisal, classification and assessment of property.

Washington County currently has a Tax Relief Program (not a tax freeze).
Please check with the County Trustee's office at 423-753-1601 to see what the qualifications are.

The Property Assessor does not:
* Set tax rate
* Send out tax bills
* collect taxes
Schools
Washington County Schools Director & Board

Ronald A. Dykes, Director
Washington County School System
405 West College Street
Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
Telephone (423) 753-1100


Washington County Board of Education
Mary Lo Silvers
Dallas Hardin
Todd Ganger
Eric Barnes, (Chairman)
Chad Williams
Phillip McLain, (Vice Chairman)
Clarence Mabe
Keith Ervin
Danny Good

For additional information on Washington County Schools, and their upcoming events, please visit their website at:www.wcde.org