Bedford County Board of Commissioners' courthouse and county property committee, meeting Monday night, said "Not so fast" to the budget and finance committee's proposal to sell the Medical Arts Building and four parcels of land adjoining Bedford County Medical Center.

The courthouse committee said that it is supposed to review issues involving the use of county land and buildings, and that it's inappropriate for the finance committee to make such proposals without going through the courthouse committee first. The courthouse committee voted to ask the finance committee to rescind its motion and refer the issue to the courthouse committee for further study. The finance committee will hold its regular monthly meeting this evening.

Last week, facing some of the tightest county budget numbers in recent memory, the finance committee voted to recommend issuing a request for proposals for sale of the Medical Arts Building and selling the four parcels on Union Street at public auction. Unless the finance committee rescinds its actions, those actions will be on the full commission's Aug. 9 agenda.

Courthouse committee member Kevin Caldwell said the finance committee's action was inappropriate, even considering the budget crunch.

"That's their problem," said Caldwell. "County buildings are our problem."

The courthouse committee said the future viability of the Medical Arts Building, and thus its value, may depend on what site Community Health Systems chooses for the new hospital. Also, some have suggested that the Medical Arts Building would be better-suited for county offices than the old Harris Middle School.

"I think these things need to be evaluated before we take any action," said Caldwell.

Committee member Billy King expressed some frustration with the commission's committee system in general, saying there's far too little communication between committees. King said it's impossible for each commissioner to attend all four committee meetings and that the commission might be better off doing away with the committee system altogether in favor of a monthly study session prior to its formal meeting.

County Mayor Jimmy Woodson said that King needs to take his concerns to the commission's rules and legislative committee.

Committee member Wayne Tucker said that, while the budget and finance committee invites other commissioners to observe its meetings and give input, he still feels uninformed about the budget process.

"They're sitting there with their information," said Tucker, "and you're not privy to it."

In other discussion Monday night:

* The committee heard that the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center has moved into its new facility. There is a "punch list" of minor details which must still be taken care of by the contractor, said Woodson, but the new building is now in use.

* The renovation of the courthouse steps has been completed.

* No one was present from El Centro Latino to discuss a request for office space. Last month, Mayor Geneva Smith and community activist Sarah Hunt attended the committee meeting to present such a request, but the committee did not have a quorum present and therefore could take no action. The two members present last month, King and Caldwell, chose not to hear the presentation since it would only have to be repeated for the other three members.

This month, all five committee members were present, but there was no presentation to hear. The committee deferred action on the request.