[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,74,86],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6241175,"mediaKeyId","3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022","parentId",3308060,"title","Bluff City amends municipal code on compensation, meal breaks and police work periods","audioSeconds",526,"startMs",422000,"endMs",948000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022&start=422&end=948","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022/thumbnail_422000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241175/Bluff-City/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Bluff-City-amends-municipal-code-on-compensation-meal-breaks-and-police-work-periods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241175-7cb5b82357f773b17059ee19f826e39f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168180&Signature=Oc3us8JdHFB5rb8Au9niHIrehRIAIKkQRIa15Sa2oLBPYxxFbbez6f~T8ViLhksvX~A~q4P5amRLft5Z8qswkGhzZRNtzupWc0INw2rA4ndh6LKkJs1SYOb2K6egFWKY9prHCt7Ldym7~EzDfAsEJq6~fPIjGY6ZYHuabJcX5CeydVYauoUvNVfKDd-~bHwKXH7uSir5RtffZDrzNM0H50bQMwb5iIT2FEJu0rOQfpqPzmWrj~mVBygbU9O-lUMq94PM3Tx0B7eFejId3if20ytNbk4bbuzzxxr5tUR4oXWxsDWcDVrFqXnEEZdNzHWDC0IIiSOkuhfzPjOnmtjFnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-15T01:07:43.15Z","article","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted Ordinance 2025‑003, amending Title 4, Chapter 2 of the Bluff City Municipal Code to revise compensation and work‑period rules, rest‑break guidance and overtime computation consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Key changes in the ordinance include: a requirement that employees working five hours or more per shift take a 30‑minute meal break unless specifically excused by an immediate supervisor (the provision excludes police officers and dispatchers); definition of the regular work period as a recurring 168‑hour period (seven consecutive 24‑hour periods) except as provided for public safety employees under the FLSA 7(k) exemption; police officers will have a 28‑day work period under the 7(k) exemption with overtime paid for hours in excess of 171 hours during that 28‑day work period; a flat $50 per hour rate tied to grant‑funded traffic details was described for certain grant situations; and an emergency callout supplement of $20 per callout for hourly employees called in outside their regular schedule.

During the second reading and public hearing, a board member asked whether the $50 hourly rate meant the city would begin paying $50 per hour directly to officers. A department representative explained that the $50 per hour rate applies specifically to traffic details administered through the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO), that the department receives a $2,500 grant award for those details and that the department tracks and submits details to the state for quarterly reimbursement. Presenters emphasized strict tracking requirements imposed by the grant and eligibility that depends on work‑period and overtime rules for the 28‑day cycle.

The ordinance clarifies that overtime requires prior approval of the town manager or designee except in emergencies and that emergency call‑out compensation applies only to hourly (non‑exempt) employees. The ordinance text states it becomes effective immediately upon final passage.

Board procedure: Vice Mayor Adams moved to pass Ordinance 2025‑003; Alderman Keith seconded. The town recorder called the roll and the ordinance passed on second reading with all recorded votes in the affirmative.

The public hearing portion produced no public speakers on the ordinance. Board discussion focused on grant administration, eligibility rules for grant‑funded overtime details and the department’s procedure for quarterly reimbursement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Special Called Meeting 5/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Bluff City board adopted Ordinance 2025‑003 to amend Title 4, Chapter 2 of the municipal code with provisions on compensation, 30‑minute meal periods for shifts of five or more hours (excluding police and dispatch), and FLSA‑related work‑period definitions for public safety staff.","taxTitle","Bluff City , Sullivan County, Tennessee","taxId",76661,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6241177,"Bluff City OKs $162,100 to buy three police cruisers; 4–1 vote",1492,1969000,3461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022&start=1969&end=3461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022/thumbnail_1969000.jpg","/articles/6241177/Bluff-City/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Bluff-City-OKs-162100-to-buy-three-police-cruisers-41-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241177-fd2dd13f8d4fd942f0b160ad5ded31f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168180&Signature=f6g~iAOpHN2LNYZM3jKxS3JhjABeUakCL-rOuBKeQo2fLOWYY~E5qPGeHEqLhs83iTHCdr3ZdsI7tOVf8wYYyHy9DYI-dh351K~omER-0wXSwBwt6mUGKl8WY-xsifQzOKi-3~1WP36BvZkm0wNvBEK6yBzIRNdT-I-ZPcpbLhXm8-gh3UxZIHw4Ew26ePW7lySdmtA5lcwQ-SDAJOHO6wUK~KIKU1Ylo7ukGTmTI4SDGhe7GXwLGrXyNnPsT2NA1zG-pjQjMDIFjboSvI5FySKmGcpEZMHoV~BfaG7kqLZRjfL0OIjIEQnDUZ9183XQE1CKuF80w7s4172UTxwQNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Bluff City approved Ordinance 2025‑005 to authorize $162,100 for the purchase of three police cruisers, with funds drawn from municipal surplus. The ordinance passed by a 4–1 roll call vote.

Board members and police leaders described a stressed fleet: the department has six vehicles with 100,000 miles or more, one vehicle experienced an electrical failure earlier the same day, and officials warned that further failures could delay officer response or create safety risks. Police leadership urged starting a regular replacement cycle for the fleet to avoid emergency breakdowns and safety exposure.

Speakers discussed the intended use and assignment of the three new vehicles. Department leaders said two vehicles are designated for patrol use and one is intended to be an unmarked administrative vehicle with interior light bar placement; they added that supervisory and training duties also require reliable, presentable vehicles when representatives attend conferences. The department noted that two officers with reliable driving histories would receive newer patrol cars first; leadership explained their approach to matching newer cars to seniority and driving record rather than assigning the newest vehicles to recently hired officers.

Financial details disclosed in the meeting: the purchase will be paid from the city’s surplus (not from general fund operations), which board members said preserves operating budgets while placing capital back on the books. One board member noted that buying outright saves roughly $50,000 in interest compared with a financing/lease approach. A board member who reviewed city financials described surplus balances and said she felt comfortable approving the purchase while noting additional fleet and public‑works replacements are forthcoming.

Board procedure: Vice Mayor Adams moved to pass Ordinance 2025‑005; Alderman Keith seconded. The roll call was: Alderman Payne — no; Alderman Malone — yes; Alderman Keith — yes; Vice Mayor Adams — yes; Alderman Johnson — yes. The ordinance passed 4–1.

Implementation items discussed included decal/signage costs (department estimated $500–$800 per vehicle for striping and markings), assignment of which older vehicles would be retained or retired based on repair history, and vendor timing. Department speakers estimated vehicle upfitting and decal work would be coordinated with local sign vendors and could proceed after delivery.","The Bluff City Board approved Ordinance 2025‑005 to purchase three police cruisers for $162,100, funded from surplus. The board debated fleet condition, assignment of vehicles and replacement cycle; Alderwoman Payne cast the sole opposing vote.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":46,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6241184,"Bluff City approves $26,550 purchase of Axon body cameras and tasers for police",995,1943000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022&start=948&end=1943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308060-ba0bca606c9546b8b30ca96ae1121022/thumbnail_948000.jpg","/articles/6241184/Bluff-City/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Bluff-City-approves-26550-purchase-of-Axon-body-cameras-and-tasers-for-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241184-6db6b5b6f32909b30380c489e09ca6f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168180&Signature=QnoWy-dWkobX39X2uTqlEHjrfs332PvKkYS8SMRKjjTbfvKcVi4litsRlZE4ylwv5VnxyXrmH6p4zBuhGI0JV0yLYAKIOXYEaaDMD4YxNQ7BAH9Q40l2SdPcPT0y4KRYxWGrutuWTLmmZWbVoQk4RAY-E7x9lGMG9OTnFdHRiX7h8ApppnfsJ~qVW3NvgnevfvIZLhvFOW9kBZe3gNcy82pw1ovK5ATrJhcgudSTmcs4YgQFTZ-4II1Dx~DbG7bmZdQh4xrkT0ZfYWfTHgvV~~Ae5VY~zl4nVXm1IKqi217BjkF7-ZqGG81LItDy6BONWmijlHM9cvFOFo3naNUSGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the Town of Bluff City unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-004 authorizing $26,550 to purchase Axon body cameras and tasers for the Bluff City Police Department.

Officials and department representatives told the board the department has only three working body cameras, many current devices are obsolete or out of service, and new equipment would restore capabilities that officers and prosecutors rely on for evidence, officer safety and documentation.

During the second reading and public hearing, an officer and department supporters described operational features of the proposed system: body cams that automatically activate in certain circumstances, cameras tied to taser deployment so a supervisor is alerted, and built‑in transcription/AI features that can assist officers in preparing reports. Department speakers said batteries on existing cameras are failing and firmware has not been updated since 2016. The board heard that the new system can allow an off‑site supervisor to listen and speak to an officer at the scene and that footage is view‑only for officers (not editable) and can be copied to department systems for reporting and review.

The ordinance authorizes the $26,550 appropriation for fiscal year 2024–25. Council procedure notes in the hearing indicated the procurement includes a multi‑year payment schedule; a board member asked whether payments were spread over five years and was told the purchase and renewal terms include multi‑year components. Department speakers estimated setup and qualification with vendor support and outside instructors would take roughly four to six weeks once equipment arrives.

Board procedure: Vice Mayor Adams moved to pass Ordinance 2025‑004; Alderman Keith seconded. The town recorder called the roll and the ordinance passed unanimously.

The department said the new cameras would also support translation features and, in some cases, an AI‑assisted draft of incident reports based on recorded audio and video; board members and presenters discussed training and the timeline for deployment. The purchase was presented as restoring basic operational capability rather than an expansion of services; the board approved the appropriation from municipal funds as presented.

The department and the board did not set a public release schedule for footage or specify any policy changes to body‑cam access and retention during the hearing. Those operational policies were not changed as part of the ordinance at the meeting.","The Bluff City Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved Ordinance 2025-004 authorizing $26,550 to buy Axon body cameras and new tasers for the Bluff City Police Department; board members and police leaders described failing equipment, limited working cameras and operational benefits including automatic activation and supervisor alerts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bluff City amends municipal code on compensation, meal breaks and police work periods

Bluff City OKs $162,100 to buy three police cruisers; 4–1 vote

Bluff City approves $26,550 purchase of Axon body cameras and tasers for police