Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Read it. Yeah. Do it like normal.

Let's bow our heads. Our gracious heavenly father, we bow tonight before your precious and holy throne. We thank you so much for your grace and your mercy that you bestow freely upon us. And, father, I thank you for saving my soul, and, father, the work that you're doing, in this county. As, brother Curtis said a while ago, god saved this country. Father, we do need to turn to you. We do need to look to you. This this we seem to turn around, and we see hate everywhere. We see ugliness everywhere, but, god, we know that you are the great healer. And we pray, father, tonight that we'll just we will continue to look to you for your mercy and your love.

And, father, help us to be able to share that with those around us, and we pray for that center that is nearest to you tonight. We pray that we'll be able to say something or do something before it's eternally too late. Father, we pray now for emergency personnel. We pray, father, you'll always be their shield as they are our shield. Lift them up, guard them, and watch over them, not only them, but their families also. And, father, we pray for this county. Thank you for this wonderful leadership. We pray, father, that you'll continue to do the work in this county that you're doing. Continue to touch the hearts and the lives that you are touching here in this county. It is a privilege and an honor to be able to minister here and and to do what we do.

We thank you so much for our leaders that enabled us to do that. Thank you again for loving us and forgive us where we fail you. For it's in Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Welcome to the September 18 meeting of the Blount County Commission. At this time, we will have the emergency evacuation announcement. We do have a quorum tonight. There are 14 members present. Seven members are absent.

We have heard from commissioners King, Bowers Webb, and Michaels, and they are all out for various reasons. At this time, I will open the floor for nominations for a member to serve as the chairperson of the Blount County Commission. Commissioner Carver.

Jared Anderson.

Second. Move nomination cease.

You beat me to it. Okay. Motion has been made to cease nominations by Bright commissioner Bright and seconded by commissioner Reagan. At this time, as per the commission rules, we will take a roll call vote for commissioner Anderson to serve as the chairman. Commissioner Acord?

Acord Anderson.

Acord Anderson. Commissioner Anderson?

Abstain.

Anderson abstains. Commissioner Bennett? Bennett for Anderson. Commissioner Bright? Anderson. Bright? Anderson? Commissioner Caldwell?

Anderson.

Caldwell? Anderson? Commissioner Carver?

Anderson.

Carver, Anderson, commissioner Davis? Davis, Anderson, commissioner Giles? Giles, Anderson, commissioner Hannah? Hannah Anderson, commissioner Joplin?

Yes.

Joplin Anderson, commissioner Martin? Martin Anderson, commissioner McMahan? McMahan Anderson, commissioner Reagan? Reagan Anderson and commissioner Wells? Wells Anderson, looks like you have it.

Thank you all very much. I appreciate your confidence and your support.

And, once again, I will do my best to live up to your expectations. So thank you all. We'll move on.

If you'll give me just a moment to do some things here.

Thank you.

Okay. Now we're ready.

Alright. Thank you, madam clerk. We'll move on to the next item, election of the county commission chair pro tem. Commissioner Acord, you're recognized. I'd like to nominate commissioner Bright. Yeah. Nomination commissioner Bright nomination of commissioner Bright from commissioner Acord, second from commissioner Davis. Are there any further nominations? Commissioner Reagan moves nominations cease. Any objection to ceasing nominations?

Hearing none of nominations have ceased. Commissioners, we are now ready to vote on county commission chair pro tem. Commissioner Carver for what purpose? I'm just turning on to oh, okay. Alright. Commissioners, please cast your vote when the clerk calls the roll.

Acord.

Bright.

Anderson.

Bright.

Bennett. Bright.

Stein.

Caldwell, Carver, Davis, Giles. Giles Bright. Hannah, Joplin. Martin. Martin Bright. McMahan. Reagan. Wells. Wells Bright. Okay. Looks like commissioner Bright This is nomination.

Congratulations, commissioner Bright. You are our county commission chair pro tem. This time, the chair will open nominations for the election of the county commission parliamentarian. Commissioner Carver, you're recognized. I'd like to nominate commissioner John Giles. Commissioner Carver nominates commissioner Giles. Is there a second? Second from mister McMahon. Any further nominations? Motion to cease nominations. Any objection to ceasing nominations? Hearing none, nominations have ceased. Commissioners, we're now voting on county commission parliamentarian. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

Acord.

Giles.

Acord. Giles. Anderson. Giles. Giles. Bennett. Giles. Bright. Giles. Caldwell. Carver. Davis, Davis, Giles, Giles, Giles abstains, Hannah, Hannah, Giles, Joplin? Martin? Martin, Giles, McMahan? Reagan? Wells?

Wells.

Giles. Commissioner Giles has the nomination with 13 votes.

Alright. Thank you, madam clerk. Congratulations, commissioner Giles. You are our county commission parliamentarian.

Sure. You'll have to sign out here.

And then sign back in over there. Thank you. Oh, regardless.

Alright. We're moving on to item a, setting of the agenda. I do have a couple of changes to announce. So one is that on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary committee, we're still working on the at large members. So that'll be item two b. If there's no objection, we'll just push that to next month. Is there any objection to that? Alright. Hearing none, we will move that item. The other change will be there is a update to the medical examiner item contract.

It should be there at your desks. So if there's no objection, we will consider that the, contract attachment will be, updated to reflect the updated contract. Is there any objection to that?

Okay.

Yes. That'll be, yeah, that'll be me. And just for reference, that is item g one. Alright. With those changes, chair will stand for a motion to set the agenda with the changes. Commissioner Bright makes the motion to set the agenda. Commissioner Martin seconds it. Any discussion? Say none if you're in favor of setting the agenda with those changes, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion passes, and the agenda is set with those changes. Item b consent calendar. Chair will stand for a motion to adopt the consent calendar. I have a motion from commissioner Carver, second by commissioner Caldwell. Any discussion on the general consent calendar? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting the general consent calendar, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister Kim, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries, and the general consent calendar is adopted. Item c, public input on items on the agenda. At this time, we will have public input on items on the agenda. Chair has one card. I have Roy Shields. Please come forward, sir. Speakers, remember you have three minutes to speak. Please tell us your name, the district in which you live, and the item that you're speaking to us about. The clock will be up here displayed so you can see how much time you have left. Alright. Go ahead,

Thank you, mister chairman and and commissioners. My name is Roy Shields. A lot of folks know me as Hoot. I live at 3031 Piney Level Road that is in District 8. I would like to be considered and or volunteer to be on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary committee. Also, I would like to volunteer and be considered to be a part of the revised public service committee whenever that comes about. I know that's not on the agenda. I apologize. So, that is the only two things. I know if that's not in your hands for that decision, I'd ask that you all would pass that along to who needs to know that I would like to volunteer volunteer and be on both committees.

So so does anybody have any questions for me?

Oh, we can't do questions at this time.

But Got it.

Thank you so much. Appreciate you. Anyone else that wishes to speak to items on the agenda? Please raise your hand at this time. Seeing none, we'll move on to the next item, which will be item d budget consent calendar. Chair will stand for a motion to adopt the budget consent calendar. Have a motion from commissioner Giles, second from commissioner Carver. Any discussion on the budget consent calendar? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting the budget consent calendar, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister Jim, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes. The motion carries, and the budget consent calendar is adopted. Item e, elections, appointments, and confirmations. Item e one, confirmation of mayoral appointments. Commissioners, remember that these are mayoral appointments, so you do need to abstain on, your nomination. Madam clerk, please read the first item.

Animal center advisory board, one year term, five commissioners, Mike Acord, Rick Carver, Jessica Hannah, Stacy Martin, and Linda Webb.

Alright. Does any commissioner wish to abstain for cause? Yeah. Please chime in. Commissioner Hannah, you recognized? Abstain. For call. Commissioner Martin? I must abstain as well. Alright. Commissioner Carver's abstaining for cause as well. Commissioner Eggers abstaining for cause. That will reduce our membership to account for the absences. Alright. I have a motion for commissioner Reagan, second from commissioner Bright to approve those confirmations if is there any further discussion?

Alright. Seeing none. If you're in favor of confirming those, please vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, you have 10 yes votes and three abstentions.

10 yes votes. The motion carries with the abstentions, and we'll move on to the next item.

Blount County medical examiner, five year term, Duranca Malusnik Polshan, MD, PhD.

Alright. I have a motion to approve the medical examiner appointment by commissioner Bright, second by commissioner Giles. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of approving the medical examiner appointment, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Commissioner Acord. That's okay. Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries, and the medical examiner confirmation is approved.

Human Resources Committee, one year term, one elected official. Register of deeds, Phyllis Crisp.

I have a motion to approve Phyllis Crisp for the Human Resources Committee from commissioner McMahan, second from commissioner Davis. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of confirmation, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries, and Phyllis Crisp is is confirmed to the human resources committee.

Technology committee, one year term, county clerk Gay Hasty, trustee Scott Graves, and highway representative Jenny Montgomery.

I have a motion from commissioner McMahan to confirm the technology committee appointments, second by commissioner Carver. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of confirming the technology committee appointments, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries. The technology committee appointments are confirmed.

Telco Reservoir Development Agency board of directors, three year term, Adriel DJ McCord.

Have a motion to approve the Telco Reservoir Development Agency board of directors appointment of Adriel McCord from commissioner Hannah, second from commissioner Davis. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of the appointment, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries in the Telco Reservoir Development Agency board of directors. Confirmation is approved. Item two, commission appointments. Madam clerk, please read the first item.

Blount County two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration coordinating committee. The Blount two fifty committee. Term to expire after 12/31/2026. Four commissioners, John Giles, Jessica Hannah, and we need two volunteers.

I think commissioner Davis, let me know that she was interested in serving on the committee. Is there another commissioner who wishes to serve on this committee? Commissioner Carver wishes to serve. Any further commissioners who wish to serve on the committee? Alright. Chair will stand for a motion then to approve the four nominees to the four spots on the committee of commissioner Giles, Hannah, Carver, and Davis. I have a motion from commissioner McMahan, second from commissioner Bright. Any discussion? Hearing none, if you're in favor of approving commissioner Giles, Hannah, Carver, and Davis to the Blunt two fifty committee, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

You can, but you don't have to.

Mister chairman, there are 13 yes votes and one abstention.

13 yes, one abstention. The motion carries, and those appointments are confirmed to the Blunt two fifty committee.

Smoky Mountain. Wait just a minute. I've missed. Education committee, one year term, five to nine commissioners. Mike Acord, Robbie Bennett, Brad Bowers, Misty Davis, John Giles, Jessica Hannah, Earl McMahon, Steve Michaels, and Don Reagan.

I have a motion to approve those education committee members by commissioner Bright, second by commissioner Martin. Commissioners on this one, please do not abstain, or we won't have enough, people to carry it forward? I want to abstain for cause. Alright. Commissioner Eckert will abstain for cause. Commissioners, if you're in favor of those education committee appointments, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 13 yes votes and one abstention.

13 yes, one abstention. Motion carries, the education committee appointments are approved.

Human resources committee, one year term, five commissioners, Jared Anderson, Nick Bright, Rick Carver, Steve Michaels, and David Wells, the same five commissioners that serve on the insurance committee.

Have a motion to approve the human resources committee appointments from commissioner Giles, second by commissioner Reagan. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of approving the human resources committee appointments, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 13 yes votes and one abstention.

13 yes, one abstention. The motion carries, the human resources committee appointments are approved.

Insurance committee, one year term, five commissioners, Jared Anderson, Nick Bright, Rick Carver, Steve Michaels, and David Wells, same five commissioners that serve on the HR committee.

I have a motion from commissioner Reagan to approve the insurance committee appointments with a second from commissioner Davis. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting the insurance committee appointments, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no. Oh, chair should probably vote. Thank you, madam Clark.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. Motion carries in the insurance committee. Appointments are approved.

Rules committee, one year term, appoint five of the following commissioners, Mike Acord, Jared Anderson, Rick Carver, Ron French, John Giles, and Steve Michaels.

Alright, commissioners. We have we have six people who have signed up. Anyone else who wishes to be considered for that committee? Alright. The chair is going to, remove his name from the committee, but I will still attend and offer whatever support that I can. So please remove me, from the consideration. Alright. Chair will stand for a motion to approve the rules committee appointments. I have a motion from commissioner Hannah, second from commissioner Giles. Any discussion or further nominations for that committee?

Alright. Seeing none, if you're in favor of appointing commissioners Acord, Carver, French, Giles, and Michaels to that committee, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14

yes votes. 14 yes votes. The motion carries. The rules committee appointments are approved.

Technology committee, one year term, three commissioners, Darren Bledsoe, Rick Carver, and Jeff Joplin.

I have a motion from commissioner Reagan, second from commissioner Davis to approve the commissioners to serve on the technology committee. Any discussion? Seeing none if you're in favor of, those technology committee appointments, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries. The technology committee commissioners appointments are approved.

Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority six year term appoint one of the following candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the board of directors. Steven Duker, vice president and general manager of Cirrus Vision Center, Hamilton Martinez, general manager of Knox Hilton Knoxville Airport, or Travis Gardner, cofounder and principal of Blockhouse Services Group.

Alright. Commissioners for this one, we need a nomination of one of these fine people to serve on this appointment. Commissioner McMahan, you are recognized.

Like to nominate Travis Gardner.

I have a nomination of Travis Gardner. Is there a second? Several seconds and thirds and fourths. I'll put down commissioner Reagan. Any further nominations? Commissioner Giles, you're recognized? Oh, sorry. Commissioner Acord, you're recognized? I'd like to nominate Steven Duker. Nomination of Steven Duker. Is there a second? Second. Second from commissioner Joplin. Any further nominations? Alright.

Chair will stand for motion to cease nominations. Moved by commissioner Reagan. Any objection to ceasing nominations? Hearing none, nominations have ceased. Commissioners, we're now voting on Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority appointment. When the clerk calls your name, you'll vote for one of the candidates, Gardner or Duker. Madam clerk, please call the roll.

Commissioner Acord?

Acord Duker.

Acord Duker. Commissioner Anderson? Gardner. Anderson Gardner. Commissioner Bennett? Bennett Gardner. Commissioner Bright?

Gardner.

Bright? Gardner. Commissioner Caldwell? Caldwell Duker. Commissioner Carver?

Carver Gardner. Commissioner k let's see here. I'm sorry. Commissioner Davis Davis Gardner. Commissioner Giles?

Duker.

Giles Duker. Commissioner Hannah? Hannah Gardner. Commissioner Joplin? Duker. Joplin Duker. Commissioner Martin? Martin Gardner. Commissioner McMahan?

Gardner.

McMahan, Gardner. Commissioner Reagan? Reagan, Gardner. Commissioner Wells? Wells Gardner. Mister chairman, there are 10 votes for Travis Gardner and four for Duker.

Alright. Thank you, madam clerk. Under the commission rules, we need to have 11. And under the rules, the lower candidate drops off, and we'll now take a vote on Travis Gardner to fill this seat. So commissioners, if you would cast your vote again. Madam clerk, please read the, roll.

Commissioner Acord?

Well done.

Acord Gardner. Commissioner Anderson?

Gardner.

Anderson? Gardner. Commissioner Bennett? Bennett? Gardner. Commissioner Bright?

Gardner.

Bright Gardner. Commissioner Caldwell? Caldwell Gardner. Commissioner Carver? Carver Gardner. Commissioner Davis? Davis? Gardner. Commissioner Giles?

Gardner.

Giles Gardner. Commissioner Hannah? Hannah Gardner. Commissioner Joplin? Joplin Gardner. Commissioner Martin? Martin Gardner, commissioner McMahon?

Gardner.

McMahon, Gardner, commissioner Reagan, Reagan Gardner, commissioner Wells Wells Gardner. Mister chairman, there are 14 votes for mister Gardner.

Alright. Thank you, madam clerk. Congratulations, mister Gardner. You are elected to the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority. Move on moving on to item f, unfinished business. There is none. Item g, new business. Madam clerk, please read the first item under new business.

Resolution number 259001, budget increase central services, $474,036.64. Appropriate general county funds and enter into a multiyear contract with Knox County Regional Forensic Center for medical examiner services. Referred to full commission with a favorable recommendation by the budget committee four zero.

I have a motion to adopt resolution number 2509001 from commissioner Acord, second from commissioner Giles. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero one, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries, and resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero one is adopted.

Resolution number twenty five nine zero zero two, budget increase. Blount County Schools, $377,975. Appropriate education capital funds to replace outdated HVAC units at ECCA. Referred to full commission with a favorable recommendation by the budget committee four zero.

I have a motion to adopt resolution number 2509002 from commissioner Wright. Second by commissioner Davis. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero two, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes. One abstention. I'm sorry. 14 yes. No abstentions. Resolution number 2509002 is adopted.

Resolution number 259003, budget increase, Blount County Schools, $175,000, appropriate education capital funds to set aside funds for contingencies for multiple plan projects for fiscal year twenty five twenty six referred to full commission with a favorable recommendation by the budget committee four zero.

Have a motion to adopt resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero three from commissioner Davis, Second from commissioner Hannah. Any discussion? Seeing none, if you're in favor of adopting resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero three, vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries, and resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero three is adopted.

Resolution number twenty five nine zero zero for budget increase general services, $156,271.22. Appropriate capital funds to purchase high density shelving for records. Referred to full commission with a favorable recommendation by the budget committee four zero.

Have a motion to adopt resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero four from commissioner Davis, second from commissioner Giles. Any discussion? Seeing none if you're in favor of adopting resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero four. Vote yes. If you're not in favor, vote no.

Mister chairman, there are 14 yes votes.

14 yes votes. The motion carries. Resolution number twenty five zero nine zero zero four is adopted. That concludes the unfinished business. We'll now move on to item h announcements and statements.

I'll have several from the chair first, and then I'll call for any others. The records commission will meet Wednesday, September 24 at 11AM at the Blount County operations center. The emergency communications e nine one one board will meet Thursday, September 25 at 4PM at the Blount County Communications Center. The planning commission will meet Thursday, September 25 at 05:30PM, followed by a planning work planning workshop session, both at the Blount County Courthouse and Commission Meeting Room 430. The education committee will meet Tuesday, September 30 at 12:30PM at Walland Elementary School.

The agenda items deadline for drafted resolutions will be noon on Thursday, October 2. The board of zoning appeals will meet Thursday, October 2 at 6PM at the Blount County Courthouse in Commission Meeting Room 430. The Veterans Affairs Committee will meet Wednesday, October 8 at 04:30PM at the Blount County Courthouse in Room 315. The budget committee will meet Thursday, October 9 at 5PM followed by a beer board meeting at 05:30PM ending with a workshop committee meeting at 6PM, All at the Blount County Courthouse in Commission Meeting Room 430. Are there any other announcements or statements?

Hearing none we'll move on to item I public input on items not on the agenda. Is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak to items not on the agenda? If so please raise your hand at this time. Seeing none, chair will stand for a motion to adjourn. That objection, we are adjourned.