[{"_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",6235291,"mediaKeyId","3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8","parentId",3405982,"title","Budget committee recommends multiple amendments; commissioners to consider EDA letter rescind and ag employee bonuses","audioSeconds",1703,"startMs",2397000,"endMs",4100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8&start=2397&end=4100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8/thumbnail_2397000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235291/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Budget-committee-recommends-multiple-amendments-commissioners-to-consider-EDA-letter-rescind-and-ag-employee-bonuses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235291-abab587f1dc88abca29b31bc2e943db2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150183&Signature=U5fqO-EHt6asKVrmVCrbKG4NBfIhgnr9MQQaup03xCmKHHYHyGz1O0EJY31hMo3yzDJLxkVq56CSEbJWKMhvocA5TnHXbFA5hhHgJSGl4CQbj5q0BjcrGUTspkIoEKp4OWS1~stNzWBd4KRz8ivnE13VOF5qku9EddReH1pnfvqEyEtEIFcyPB16uvPsQ8oeL-Hww6oc90zaA-4TDjKNavrOwPb~vpvpnCtviiP6FiLNghvOj1tuZOZFN5NS0HSut0NkhH-52RR5JX5Ly3n5FfNhvK07QHWVsIdqatRa8zVbh7Pw-ofU0kE~YetLvPBLH6QCGOy-lFU5NLBLDebAKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Loudon County, TN","date","2025-05-20T11:14:29Z","article","The Loudon County budget committee presented multiple year‑end budget amendments, grant acceptances and capital adjustments at the May 19, 2025 commission workshop, recommending items the full commission will consider at its June meeting.

Aaron, speaking for the budget committee, summarized the recommendations. He said the committee recommended paying a one‑time bonus to Loudon County Agricultural Department employees using funds left over in a contract with BC and TSU because of vacancies. \"The budget committee recommended that,\" he said, explaining that the bonus would be paid from available contracted salary funds.

The committee also recommended accepting a 2025 Homeland Security grant with no local match and presented a package of fiscal year adjustments. Aaron said the recommended general fund amendments would increase fund balance by $2,397,817 overall; items across several funds produced net changes including a reported $336,992 increase in the highway fund and a reported $5,409,570 increase in the education debt service fund following trustee commission and tax recognition adjustments. The budget committee reported the general purpose school fund amendments reflected actions by the Board of Education and showed a decrease to that fund balance of $5,050,000.

Capital projects and equipment adjustments included small courthouse owner‑alternate costs (staff cited about $3,891 for added bulletproof panels at a judge’s bench and architect fees of about $11,815 on a phase of work) and a range of equipment purchases: desktop/laptop computer purchases for senior center and veterans affairs totaling about $55,864.95, restroom renovation and painting of the county annex (roughly $25,959 and $27,588 respectively), and multiple Highway Department trade‑in vehicle purchases (examples in the packet included $27,809, $42,854 and $20,739.84 line items).

Commissioner Gary Woodfield asked that the commission rescind a previous letter to the Economic Development Administration; he said he would provide revised text and asked that the rescind request be placed on the June 2 agenda. Aaron said he would send related documentation to commissioners.

The budget committee’s recommendations were presented for the full commission’s review; commissioners did not take final votes on the amendments at the workshop. Staff said items will be placed on the June 2 agenda for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loudon County Commission Workshop Meeting, May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 19 Loudon County workshop the budget committee recommended a set of year‑end budget amendments and approvals, including an agricultural one‑time bonus funded from contract savings, grant acceptances, and multiple capital adjustments; commissioners asked that a letter to the EDA be rescinded and scheduled that item for June 2.","taxTitle","Loudon County, Tennessee","taxId",54394,"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},6235296,"Loudon County and Lenoir City plan joint Browder Hollow/Johnson Drive work; county seeks payment assurances",177,1509000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8&start=1509&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8/thumbnail_1509000.jpg","/articles/6235296/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Loudon-County-and-Lenoir-City-plan-joint-Browder-HollowJohnson-Drive-work-county-seeks-payment-assurances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235296-2fd17785ef4b7e012383987341f37fc0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150183&Signature=H5vPgbp0OKBuxEzj~VNp12N-wyT0aCwQQ96EhXuQxVAxm-DIa~88YYfJj~OulB~I-ROFF~-yjKHUDmc1mJ21dj0ldTlSvKJ-S6Gh-tcAhhUT2tit~7C4az0jZs-0M7U6wDK9IdyUacrUxjYW4acVD6cBcaWgDvdynklXUIs6l0s8j6oTHtZIxJXKf6AHe-tTeNqjyKj3uqD6FoeRkghA9gfyJM7bp5zLkQAXvkO4wFwASRIUh0yEHS2wVcpkqhI5O6YxILusUqEzF8ZV31ibjJh5vIoROciykYyf59zu38PpIJhvU3NQdCxcUk45e0at~xHi3bDFzZSX~aoCSBdYjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Loudon County commissioners reviewed an interlocal cooperation agreement on May 19, 2025 to repair Browder Hollow Road and Johnson Drive, two streets that are split between the city and county. Staff presented a total project estimate of roughly $306,000 and described the county’s plan to lead the work while splitting costs with Lenoir City.

County staff said the project estimate includes a 10% contingency and that the total project cost to be split would be about $306,000. \"That that is the not to exceed the 10% over the estimated cost of $270,000,\" a county official explained in the workshop materials. Officials said the county’s expected share would be about half, or approximately $153,092.94.

Commissioners pressed for payment guarantees. One commissioner asked bluntly, \"How do you intend to collect the money from Lenoir City?\" Staff answered that Lenoir City officials had indicated they were agreeable to paying 50% and that Lenoir City Utilities Board (LCUB) would contribute in‑kind infrastructure materials (manhole covers, valves and related materials).

Commissioners who spoke cited past episodes in which they said Lenoir City had delayed or refused payment on county bills, and they asked staff to secure clearer contractual protections. Staff told the commission that the county would oversee the contract and that a contractor (Harrison) was expected to perform the work under county management.

The resolution and interlocal agreement materials will appear on the June 2 commission agenda for final action; staff said the county intends to initiate the project with one half of the estimated cost available and then seek the city’s reimbursement under the interlocal terms.

Why it matters: the project affects local roadway condition, safety and taxpayer funds; commissioners said they want explicit assurances that the city will reimburse its share rather than leaving the county to cover costs up front without firm guarantees.

No final vote was taken at the May 19 workshop. Staff told the commission the agreement will be placed on the June 2 agenda for a formal vote and asked the commission for direction on any contract terms they wanted added before final approval.","The commission reviewed an interlocal cooperation resolution to split an estimated $306,000 Browder Hollow/Johnson Drive repair between Loudon County and Lenoir City, and commissioners sought stronger payment assurances from the city based on past disputes.",{"_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},6235301,"Residents urge limits on density for proposed development at 700 Frenzel/700 Springville Road",1068,224000,1292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8&start=224&end=1292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8/thumbnail_224000.jpg","/articles/6235301/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Residents-urge-limits-on-density-for-proposed-development-at-700-Frenzel700-Springville-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235301-25aff626500392d9014762f198f2076b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150183&Signature=kwvJiPrGu-8u51L0sdhFZXywWThDWPP62ZAP22o2O0YsgeYFFGWC43X2gciQwUaIvkLSZVf0S7EJfnNMjOBkvbOZnDBUjoVre3IzIvtiOjjkj-8Vlh9JzRq9SCy3Xja0jKVmnx4ROsOH~1hzCbBGNtD0BPGB9~xj5aF7Jq8R0a7DlE5PppIek7P~ISx8OZ72VDgpgNSeCvwpNULC4nS09VqeFhgNCHUl-BBBSkKSZpCrCslqJJrNS20SbOT5crubBBNHdfK~M3Y-lqMPdGaYryzFgPSFguxscRx-K6s4wfBZXHMrNdl1Pgiw6dB5kLXh-005FGf-pIdOQdb0pgsHnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and planning staff discussed a proposed rezoning covering parcels around 700 Frenzel Road and 700 Springville Road at the Loudon County Commission workshop May 19, 2025, with neighbors urging lower density and commissioners directing that the item return for a June 2 public vote.

Jeffrey Mark, who said he lives \"just up the road\" from the Springville Road property, told commissioners: \"321 is not ready for that much, traffic. You guys know that.\" Crystal Todd, another resident, said the intersection at Friendsville Road and 321 \"is just not set up. It would be a danger to have that. Plus, you have a school bus that has to turn around.\" Both speakers asked the commission to favor lower densities and single‑family lots.

County planning staff, represented in the meeting by Jim Jenkins, summarized several rezoning items labeled A through G that will appear on the commission’s upcoming agenda and said the items are being processed under state law. Jenkins read that the rezonings \"will all be a resolution of any zoning act of Loudon County, Tennessee pursuant to chapter 7, 13 dash 7 dash 4 0 5, Tennessee Code Annotated.\" Jenkins also said the application covering the 700 Frenzel Road parcels had been tabled in previous meetings and that the developer had changed access to State Route 321; staff noted the revised plan would have access on 321 and indicated the application asks for R‑2 cluster zoning, with the applicant proposing single‑family homes rather than apartments.

Jenkins said the development now under consideration is roughly \"26 lots on 17 acres\" in the staff remarks and told residents that the item will be on the June commission meeting agenda. He asked residents who want to speak in favor or opposition to appear at the June 2 meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Why it matters: neighbors flagged traffic and school safety issues at a location where staff said rezoning would change lot yield and permitted uses. Commissioners and planning staff noted that the new R‑2 cluster zone permits certain densities tied to public infrastructure commitments and with conditions intended to ensure the approvals apply only to the development presented to the commission.

Planning staff also briefed the commission on related rezoning requests across the county during the workshop; several items had been recommended by the Planning Commission while others had been tabled for more review. The commission did not take a final rezoning vote on May 19; affected residents were told the formal voting meeting will occur June 2.","Residents at a Loudon County Commission workshop urged commissioners to limit lot density on proposed rezonings around 700 Frenzel/700 Springville Road and Brentsville Road, citing narrow roads, school capacity and safety concerns. County staff said the rezoning item will return to the June 2 vote.",{"_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},6235306,"Loudon County panel recommends UnitedHealthcare plan as employees and commissioners raise cost and coverage concerns",1781,1869000,3650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8&start=1869&end=3650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3405982-e00f3a3312cbbcc92a1e44e4f348ffe8/thumbnail_1869000.jpg","/articles/6235306/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Loudon-County-panel-recommends-UnitedHealthcare-plan-as-employees-and-commissioners-raise-cost-and-coverage-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235306-65894e1a035865811d532a7b299b394f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150183&Signature=Icg61BAgKkblWnyPZi9NdmRf2aq-RDLFWieauCEOHm~b17iO6QgJFFQ5IwbxKN4ZQ284VLxNI51jxD8vADmx2soOw~37YqTU9emGW~qbiCjS6zOaLo8FVUwFAHg4g6SrCfeAhE1VFSuPrMwfuPHRG3NIwXHgWPVbbg48Y3qwpLAUwdyZtCenJpQiqaWL1te9tXLARwvmcqeLCBSfQYp-lL9CtOnoEE-sAIRz9JCNNlHjrE9dYgkGSoRbbf65xbFS25HiiRHpZN3bUHb6GcXiBhhI-qwJywsIMUlcOCjjaEOt5XTNi80ycV4t8xMBeis07ui-spP6y1yqA0qpUs-pEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Loudon County Commission workshop on May 19, 2025, the Salary and Benefits Committee recommended adopting UnitedHealthcare’s Assurance Choice plan for county employee health coverage, prompting questions from commissioners and county employees about monthly costs, maximum out‑of‑pocket exposure and the committee’s process.

The recommendation presented to commissioners was that the county adopt UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Surest/Assurance Choice Option 1. \"The salary benefits committee has voted to recommend the UHC UnitedHealthcare Assurance Choice plan,\" a Salary and Benefits Committee representative told the commission. Staff displayed a total annual premium for the recommended UHC product of $3,969,860.16.

Why it matters: the choice will change how much the county pays and how much employees contribute, and commissioners said they need clearer details before voting. County staff gave two UHC options: Option 1 had no deductibles and capped out‑of‑pocket at $4,000 per individual and $8,000 per family and was shown as roughly a 6% increase over current costs; Option 2 had lower out‑of‑pocket maximums (about $1,500 individual/$3,000 family) but was shown as a larger increase (about 16% before certain discounts). Staff said the county would save a small discount (2.5%) if dental and vision were included with UHC.

County employees and department leaders spoke during public comment and during the workshop. Chip Miller, a county employee, urged caution on a UHC choice and asked that employees be allowed to select the lower‑out‑of‑pocket option: \"If you choose to go with UnitedHealthcare, please allow us the option 2 also,\" he said. Mike Campbell, Lead County Assessor of Property, said county employees had \"more questions than answers\" after the ad hoc meeting and asked the commission to hear employee concerns before a final selection.

Commissioners and staff ran through the dollar impacts shown in staff materials. Staff reported Option 1 would increase the county’s annual cost by about $230,001.83; Option 2 would raise the county’s cost by about $604,414.08. Staff also reported that staying with the incumbent carrier, Cigna, had a renewal at about 17% in the current round of bids.

Staff gave examples to explain the new plan’s design. Under Option 1, staff said, most costs are collected as copayments that count toward the plan’s out‑of‑pocket cap; staff emphasized that the UHC product presented has no classic deductible and that copays and other specified payments apply toward the maximum out‑of‑pocket. Commissioners and members of the public repeatedly asked for apples‑to‑apples examples comparing the new plans to the current Cigna plan; one commissioner asked, \"If I have a broken leg that cost me $3,000 under current insurance, how much am I out of pocket under the new insurance?\" Staff answered with the copay examples used in the vendor tools and offered additional question‑and‑answer sessions for commissioners and employees.

The commission was also told about employee participation counts used in the cost modeling: staff said there are 248 total covered enrollments (the staff breakdown in the presentation showed 97 individual enrollments and 81 family enrollments, with other categories noted in the staff spreadsheet). Staff also calculated individual employee paycheck contributions under each option: the presentation showed individual employee per‑paycheck contributions rising from the current roughly $121 per month to about $128.39 per month under UHC Option 1 and about $140.30 per month under UHC Option 2 if employees paid the difference.

Commissioners asked for and were offered additional public Q&A sessions with the insurer and staff before a final decision. A follow‑up salary and benefits meeting was scheduled for May 27 and commissioners directed staff to include the insurance choice on the June 2 agenda so the full commission could review complete materials.

Several commissioners and attendees also raised procedural concerns about the committee recommendation. One commissioner noted that the ad hoc meeting that produced the recommendation included a motion maker who may not have had voting rights; that issue was raised publicly as a point of procedural clarification the commission wanted resolved before relying on the committee recommendation.

The commission did not take a final vote on May 19; commissioners left the item open for additional staff briefings and a planned question‑and‑answer session with employees and the insurer prior to the June action meeting.","At a May 19, 2025 Loudon County Commission workshop, the Salary and Benefits Committee recommended switching to a UnitedHealthcare plan; commissioners, county employees and the assessor raised questions about out‑of‑pocket limits, relative cost increases and procedural issues with the committee vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Budget committee recommends multiple amendments; commissioners to consider EDA letter rescind and ag employee bonuses

Loudon County and Lenoir City plan joint Browder Hollow/Johnson Drive work; county seeks payment assurances

Residents urge limits on density for proposed development at 700 Frenzel/700 Springville Road

Loudon County panel recommends UnitedHealthcare plan as employees and commissioners raise cost and coverage concerns