KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

It is a time of change for the city of Tullahoma, as Mayor-elect Lynn Sebourn, alongside aldermen-elect Matthew Bird, Sernobia McGee and Busch Thoma were sworn into office Monday night.

Before the swearing in ceremony began, the outgoing board members wrapped up some unfinished business by unanimously approving the final reading to amend Ordinance 1594 and adopting the annual city budget and tax rate for the previous fiscal year. Outgoing aldermen Jenna Amacher and Daniel Berry were not present for the meeting.

Knowis then introduced City Attorney Stephen Worsham and Judge James F. Conley to the podium, where Worsham went over the certified election results from the Coffee County Election Commission.

The final tallies were Lynn Sebourn with 2,156 votes for mayor, Busch Thoma with 1,956 votes, Sernobia McGee with 1,559 votes and Matthew Bird with 1,493 votes for aldermen, J. Patrick “Pat” Welsh with 2,262 votes, Kim Uselton with 2,333 votes and Broc Compton with 2,013 votes for school board and Rosie Graham with 2,395 votes for the unexpired school board term.

The swearing in ceremony began with school board members Rosie Graham, Kim Uselton, Pat Welsh and Broc Compton. Following the school board members were incoming aldermen Matthew Bird, Busch Thoma and Sernobia McGee, who were also sworn in. The final official to be sworn in to office was Lynn Sebourn as the new mayor of Tullahoma.

Knowis thanked Conley for his service, and he then asked the outgoing board members to remove themselves so the new board members can take their place and join sitting aldermen Kurt Glick, Jerry Mathis and Bobbie Wilson. Knowis then passed the gavel to Sebourn to wrap up the ceremony.

The new board then continued with the regularly scheduled meeting. During board reports, Wilson, Mathis and Glick welcomed the new board members, as the new board members shared their excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to serve both the city and its citizens.  

“Thank you again to everyone,” Sebourn said, “as everyone have stated for the elections and the warm welcome.”

Sebourn added since he has been elected mayor he can no longer serve as the chairman for the Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation, which will add a vacant seat. He also announced the vacancy of unexpired term on the Tullahoma Airport Authority Board that expires on Feb. 27, 2029.

He encouraged citizens who were interested in filling either vacant seat can submit a citizen’s participation form along with a resume with their qualifications. The forms will be accepted for 30 days so the board can look over the candidates before the next meeting. The candidates will then be asked to appear to a Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting to state why they should be considered.

Anyone interested can contact Tullahoma City Hall at 931-455-2648 for more information.