[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076097,"mediaKeyId","2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699","parentId",2973962,"title","Commission weighs using occupancy tax to fund parks and museums; legal guidance to be sought","audioSeconds",998,"startMs",3010000,"endMs",4008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699&start=3010&end=4008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699/thumbnail_3010000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076097/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Commission-weighs-using-occupancy-tax-to-fund-parks-and-museums-legal-guidance-to-be-sought","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076097-9f84b67cec87e8b60decee345a273232/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262226&Signature=f8mAW8-2Q1z5D1lW6v2DrL-HSuZ8tLKSbVkHHMRX8bxU~QVxRzRaETRpUikRluNXxNbyqqW~6JSpoTd93EnrEmvFj7GjjxfTQd1QGC0YK7bdU0rG22aBxwBZO8PhieZfgtFe4zEk~LPuZMA98QaQ-d6zh4GnMbEsZwKINwFOuDsGBkSp7JaOYQrPLDtlvr2BNceU0nASLHMZ7~jXukoCvAO7purCnIvdn2TzLbT98zAIDF-4TQazguYEn-1KDvLjdClhrrnZMGdV~a7YImPKSLKRF0y8CwlKSyuoiwOhxKZSLnRAocCdK3v5CSNkCfjRJ6bgDMjNC5ErnHMNBwhdhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County, TN","date","2025-04-11T11:23:50Z","article","The Sullivan County Commission discussed a resolution to direct future funding for local parks and museums to occupancy (lodging) tax revenues rather than the county’s nonprofit budget. Commissioner Harvey, sponsor of the measure, said the change would remove the burden from the general fund and require recipients to meet the state comptroller’s criteria for use of lodging-tax dollars.

“Parks and museums requesting this funding in the future will need to align with the eligibility guidelines as defined by the state comptroller's criteria for the legal use of lodging tax dollars to promote and support tourism in Tennessee,” Harvey said. The sponsor told commissioners the policy is new to the county and that the county attorney and CTAS (County Technical Assistance Service) had been consulted; the attorney said he would review state statute and report back.

Commissioners asked several operational questions: how eligibility and post-expenditure reporting will be enforced, whether a county designee (tourism director) will oversee recommendations, and what limits apply to which organizations may request funding. Matthew Johnson, the county’s tourism director, said he did not prefer pulling funds from the lodging-tax pool for some of the proposed uses, and the finance director provided a conservative revenue estimate for the lodging-tax fund.

The discussion included a funding-status update: commissioners said roughly $500,000 had previously been allocated to NEDA and another $500,000 to Sullivan County (distributions from the occupancy tax), and a county finance official gave a conservative 12-month revenue estimate of about $710,000. Commissioners asked for concrete guidance on legal eligibility and reporting requirements before acting; the county attorney agreed to research the applicable statutes and provide guidance.

Harvey moved to bring the resolution forward as a first reading next week; the commission agreed to schedule the item for further consideration rather than approving expenditures at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County Commissions Meeting - 4/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","A resolution would move future funding for parks and museums from the nonprofit budget to occupancy (lodging) tax revenue; commissioners asked county attorney and staff to clarify statutory eligibility and oversight before final action.","taxTitle","Sullivan County, Tennessee","taxId",3933,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076101,"Commission considers $200,000 cap for nonprofit funding as Branch House seeks county support",1443,1198000,2641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699&start=1198&end=2641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699/thumbnail_1198000.jpg","/articles/6076101/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Commission-considers-200000-cap-for-nonprofit-funding-as-Branch-House-seeks-county-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076101-b0443bfeda28aec5d89e0d2d60be8abb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262226&Signature=LC4~sNgnl-NBeVTDkuRJHx87qWNsKkgOVH6K10bHAff-YIC6zvEST2AV-0DAtK9Xz2GDQI1N6-QoPVdRw2hYH0nCmwucGPPzEX5ec3vluGHjiJa~RQunHcWfww~zqI0rxVtpsRK4aTDwHIpWnElsnGJ79VtIIstX6bCJidOveeDIKTgcZTX73r-Vm5oiO0jWuLVBAetcwtyfWkxRv9ZzKubgNkpoqrY0L9zx0FOEBKtAL~lx3Ecz2x4xFG5nYKsgNMWRcuYYq7VOAms79BednOIJBL~fLRu6-js629-g9FjhuP-fDrjbEKGOeJtDQnZUSpp5LhIxZodPQZQMYMoitA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sullivan County Commission heard a public presentation from Branch House — the county’s family justice and sexual-assault services center — and took up a resolution that would cap county nonprofit funding at $200,000 for fiscal allocations.

General Barry Stavos, who introduced the Branch House presentation, distributed informational packets and said the center provides services that are “essential” to local prosecutions and victim support. Renee Hendricks, director of Branch House, described the center’s services, partnerships with local law enforcement and hospitals, and its role in coordinating responses to sexual assault and human trafficking. Hendricks said the Branch House is “the only hybrid family justice center and sexual-assault center in the entire state of Tennessee” and that it provides free services and private exam rooms in several hospital locations.

Commissioner Harvey sponsored the resolution to establish a capped budget of $200,000 for selected nonprofits. Harvey said the cap is lower than amounts in recent budgets but noted the proposal excludes fire and rescue funding and that many nonprofits provide services that save the county money. “This resolution was created to establish a capped budget of $200,000 to fund selected non profits in Sullivan County,” Harvey said.

Commission discussion focused on process: commissioners requested that request forms be sent to nonprofits, that the administrative committee review submissions and forward recommendations to the budget committee, and that the full commission make final appropriations. Commissioner Locke asked that the county administrator’s office send request forms upon passage so the budget committee will have applications to evaluate; commissioners agreed to amend procedures and to bring the resolution back for final action next week as a second reading.

No final appropriations were made at the meeting; commissioners scheduled the resolution for second reading on the next regular calendar. Branch House representatives were invited to provide more information at the follow-up meeting and to work with the administrative and budget committees on any request for county support.","Commissioners debated a proposed $200,000 cap on county nonprofit funding and a process for distributing those funds; Branch House representatives presented program details and requested consideration for continued support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076106,"Mayor’s appointment of Luke Mead as county planner affirmed by commission despite procedural objections",518,554000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699&start=554&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699/thumbnail_554000.jpg","/articles/6076106/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Mayors-appointment-of-Luke-Mead-as-county-planner-affirmed-by-commission-despite-procedural-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076106-6284f44457896e167d413d0b34ac8ca3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262226&Signature=eigrnrRnWV1Bw8JpMzbk264OQNjwmCP671RPRKcqaJzde8rT4umaEYbUKMHgTn44J7zAQduycU2RSuqV81340UU4sLfdxf4t7r44n5vCh-IDYTwUWSf-w5Kio9oSKpauGGjR7~QfoSBcfnz5N8A8nbiNBlxOapXji9Te7nVE6vDoAfxQIebekni2LYPOCwtOrPF9CH~h5MH4qHTfzutcgU5V9AQWy21bHbkT4YiRAGkBF4peB~PYcC03Hi9usqIBmrfmwIY2aoJi37hdyIJ6eSvZotBYkmfN19qJbKeMt4LU5FJK8pvj7u8lZPaTINw-e8Hc~rjcrk~8~8LWGwKhHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Venable told the commission he was moving Amber Torbit out of the county planning position into a role reporting to the deputy mayor and the mayor’s office, and formally nominated Luke Mead, previously the assistant county planner, as Sullivan County Planner.

Mayor Venable introduced Mead and recommended him to the commission, noting Mead’s local education and planning background. “I am ready to appoint a new county planner… I am appointing Luke Mead, who has been assistant planner to this court for several years, to the position of planner for Sullivan County. And I recommend him to you highly,” the mayor said.

Commission discussion focused on procedure rather than Mead’s qualifications. Several commissioners questioned whether the appointment could be acted on during the meeting’s zoning/work-session portion rather than at a regular meeting. County counsel (Jim Street) and others exchanged views on statutory procedure; one commissioner asked that the confirmation be treated as an informal vote pending formal action at the next regular meeting. County Attorney Street commented that historically such appointments are handled at advertised meetings and said the mayor’s appointment was the mayor’s authority under statute; the commission ultimately proceeded to vote.

Commissioner Locke moved to approve the mayor’s recommendation and Commissioner Cowden seconded. The clerk announced the vote tally; the chairman declared the motion carried and the commission affirmed Luke Mead’s appointment.

The record includes objections from some commissioners about timing and notice of the appointment and a request to send vacancy announcements and accept applications in future cases; the commission nonetheless voted to confirm. The commission did not conduct a candidate interview at the meeting; the mayor’s appointment and the commission’s affirmation complete the appointment process recorded in this session.","Mayor Venable announced staffing changes in the planning department and the commission confirmed Luke Mead as county planner after debate about whether the appointment should be handled at a regular meeting; vote carried.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076111,"Commission approves rezoning of 408 Jonesboro Road for high-density housing development",221,203000,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699&start=203&end=424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973962-c960347b3f978dd81f57fbdf3e7c6699/thumbnail_203000.jpg","/articles/6076111/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-rezoning-of-408-Jonesboro-Road-for-high-density-housing-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076111-2c85282eddb600a73b52133f73600e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1775262226&Signature=e0lXDm5znoHk0c~NWQQmQHcFOfHtE55gHVOHy5oLAK52yuE0KX6ivexQHNdgPWF-YutVRmsm-au7rm0spDEJHLM27vAyP7tr7tGA2vmkTZq0Kg9NHvyJsynzks22nhrDyTooZsE5QKkLkSltc3-~IA-h~t6-kkemGiYyYllYrUTNf6kIn1Qx~XW6M8URs7FNNrDSeIHqLf7BiUpJlF-zJXFpcCGPmbihnvmDeh-2EKP2cImqBtfH4AAilsWIWr0dKOlz6ffucREeoPmFbcTSrzXbgkMs1ddQXaUooUYCJ2IIjR3x8PizPIHKc8Svu~aqiFICwxhV5SEWzcuFib9vZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sullivan County Commission voted to approve a rezoning request for 408 Jonesboro Road in Piney Flats, changing the parcel from planned business to R3A, a high-density residential designation.

Amber Torbit, Sullivan County Planner, presented the request during a public hearing on behalf of Gateway Development and staff, saying, “This request is from Gateway Development. It's a partnership… a rezoned property on Jonesboro Road 408 Jonesboro Road in Piney Flats from planned business to R 3 A. R 3 A is high density residential for the county.” Torbit said the undeveloped parcel sits adjacent to a condominium development built about 15 years ago and that the proposal has been approved by John City Water and Sewer. She also told commissioners the county planning commission had provided a unanimous favorable recommendation.

The developer team made a brief appearance. Chance Street, a partner with Gateway Development, told the commission he was available to answer questions. No members of the public spoke in opposition, Torbit said, and the county said mailed notice had been sent to nearby property owners including the adjacent condominium development at Stewart.

Commissioners put the amendment to a vote following the public hearing. The clerk announced the tally and the chairman declared the amendment approved.

The change in zoning will allow the developer to keep an existing subdivided single-family parcel and to pursue additional condominium units on the remaining undeveloped land. No site plan, number of units, or construction timeline was presented during the hearing; those details were not specified in the record.

The planning commission’s written recommendation and the county’s zoning maps were provided to commissioners in advance; Bluff City zoning classifications were noted as congruent with the proposed county rezoning. The record shows the county intends to proceed under the normal permitting and subdivision review processes for any future development on the property.","The Sullivan County Commission voted to approve a rezoning request from planned business to R3A for 408 Jonesboro Road in Piney Flats after a public hearing and a unanimous planning commission recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission weighs using occupancy tax to fund parks and museums; legal guidance to be sought

Commission considers $200,000 cap for nonprofit funding as Branch House seeks county support

Mayor’s appointment of Luke Mead as county planner affirmed by commission despite procedural objections

Commission approves rezoning of 408 Jonesboro Road for high-density housing development