[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6233326,"mediaKeyId","3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8","parentId",3423035,"title","Mayor Whitby appoints Spencer Campbell and Jeff Blanton to county boards; commission acknowledges appointments","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",2547000,"endMs",2734000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8&start=2547&end=2734","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8/thumbnail_2547000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6233326/Carter-County/Tennessee/Mayor-Whitby-appoints-Spencer-Campbell-and-Jeff-Blanton-to-county-boards-commission-acknowledges-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233326-2becdf6174ae2c0449e374b8665111d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578994&Signature=Wy-2cJ2iqxiPEdvok18UWKFOFeciEOp6cyhCv5w5TSuePDqJLO0fpaOz914XHzw4MtI4bqweJaj7zuV4MiKfhs1tEmTE1qx415kv0BnQOuRdzEgDiUVNLL6g8TAiTVbT~UH9~fRIBTGXY-UP-rp7i55zTe4NFmQDRezkhqldAnTr3krpWEzq5Mx-n-obWwkyOh5OhgO3OojWKFb2-nbWdieBUOi0A92ZfNt--SMPjKopIpB7c-GJDzp7BVKG1agF84oLz73fn1rGzfEhASbmpZeaPupgfXpnGXjn7Raam4UwIEo6g28rHCrFVukRln35-SY7yiG1SJb1myvQsKJQzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carter County, TN","date","2025-05-21T11:21:07.937Z","article","Carter County Mayor Patty Whitby announced two appointments during the May 19 meeting: Spencer Campbell was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Carter County Board of Equalization to serve until the next regular appointments in April 2026, and Jeff Blanton was appointed to a full four‑year term on the Syme Utility District Board of Commissioners, effective May 19, 2025.

The mayor read the statutory bases for both appointments. For the Board of Equalization appointment she cited Tennessee Code Annotated procedures for filling vacancies; for the utility district appointment she read the statutory process authorizing the county mayor to appoint from certified nominees submitted by the district board.

Commissioners did not move to overturn either appointment; the mayor asked if there were any questions and none were raised in the meeting record.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 19, 2025, Carter County Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Patty Whitby issued orders appointing Spencer Campbell to the Carter County Board of Equalization until the regular April 2026 appointments, and Jeff Blanton to the Syme Utility District Board of Commissioners effective May 19, 2025.","taxTitle","Carter County, Tennessee","taxId",71162,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_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":73,"_74":73},6233330,"County outlines disaster-recovery work, authorizes RFP for Hampton church lot restoration (non-FEMA reimbursable)",0,7100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8&start=7100&end=7100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8/thumbnail_7100000.jpg","/articles/6233330/Carter-County/Tennessee/County-outlines-disaster-recovery-work-authorizes-RFP-for-Hampton-church-lot-restoration-non-FEMA-reimbursable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233330-9dfc0adc47442ff8fe3293e87f13a000/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578994&Signature=Eyn130kZMBCZh7lETAWfd3qNFQxLLhOgp-X9DhicA5tZywRKzk-2PNkm4LoDiCZMHTDCKMqB9YLNFWoFJJ4sDOFFrCPHj~ZBK-KXzrj0TPcPSeSlz2ZqP7X7mBPMPsf6IV1pWGSTIXRTB-TR0rbWmQO-pN-k~6O1apk7paMy1Z6b7SyOpKWMccjfqJdv12s3n-Sp5fl9THkM7ks8wILhOlAj85-jIanPjgo5v8PKGv0wzmGI9Q8YKzxIf7AetmhJbbzCdGE4T6kYY-cBtJBfN0Zs5966ZiP~yxQRfOlK0JHbQh~ejMgxXx7dX16BO5BRjLTnX4JSN8oq8h5YhY1umw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County officials briefed commissioners May 19 on ongoing disaster-recovery work related to recent storm damage and authorized two procurement steps: pursuing warranty work where FEMA reimbursement is expected, and issuing an RFP to restore a church lot in Hampton that was used for debris staging but is not an approved FEMA debris site.

Staff said debris removal in right-of-way and waterways is nearing FEMA deadlines; some piles did not meet FEMA criteria and were trimmed rather than removed by contractors. The county reported it has 16 highway projects submitted to FEMA for cost analysis; NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) packages are pending for bank stabilization work on creeks that must be secured before road repairs can proceed.

On the Hampton church lot, staff described a property behind a Dollar General in Hampton that a local church had volunteered for debris staging. Citizens later added material to the site; the church requested the property be restored. Staff recommended the county proceed with an RFP for ground restoration of the church lot, and they advised commissioners that the site is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Staff estimated restoration costs between about $78,000 and $101,000 and recommended the county assume full financial responsibility.

Separately, staff said the county executed a temporary bridge contract and anticipated reimbursement in 30–60 days. They also said two projects under NRCS are ready to begin once paperwork is complete and that administrative costs (Category G/administrative time) are being tracked for FEMA reimbursement.

Commissioners asked for regular updates on the White Rock radio tower project and for clearer monthly reporting while large projects remain underway; staff said Motorola can provide quarterly on-site briefings and that more frequent reporting will be considered as the project accelerates.

","Staff updated the commission on FEMA and NRCS projects, debris removal deadlines and temporary-bridge contracting; commissioners approved issuing an RFP to restore the Hampton church lot used for debris staging, noting that FEMA will not reimburse the church property and the county expects to pay an estimated $78,000–$101,000.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233335,"Carter County seeks return of state-held unclaimed funds; commission approves multiple budget amendments",352,7973000,8325000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8&start=7973&end=8325","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8/thumbnail_7973000.jpg","/articles/6233335/Carter-County/Tennessee/Carter-County-seeks-return-of-state-held-unclaimed-funds-commission-approves-multiple-budget-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233335-45077db218fe3c3db53944a4cebd3f13/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578994&Signature=K2HpYTvdN91zrA8pq-Uj1fKmXjwdffshvXZ5BAcwJ3DIRKV44zAPL-Ir7wz3LLXRvAVYLYFwHYJ9IL0pYe0hnYgLJylmncz5Hv4E-Etr5u184VLWzU5moyT-~BSNpKP3ZQd5jIDE2M3H9Ppfzg9zAzzfh5H2MOpiFGwaIZZyW9mIqeiIg0QCuAt8fYf78mDvoJhNpbaH11mEMQxtQuNdHpvYFwaGAZn8ecyktV45WVxLtfKu7t300vh6tXDBnqJPo0DPcBlmjLs7gN0oC68Mrdr4qNBzQiuAS6RsgbOb~OHfEvhvRdsQ7Dx0EaNZUgY~bmyvnyD8iv3plQS5sI9yQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County commissioners voted May 19 to request return of unclaimed balances the county and its agencies previously remitted to the Tennessee State Treasurer under the Unclaimed Property Act. The resolution asks the state treasurer to return funds remitted more than 18 months earlier; the county noted past recoveries were substantial.

Why it matters: the county\u0000said similar requests in recent years yielded significant returns for the general fund. County staff said a small reserve must remain available to pay future claims, but the returned balance can be used for county operations.

In the same meeting commissioners approved a slate of budget amendments across several county funds, including general fund amendments totaling roughly $2.03 million (budget committee packet items 1–16), capital projects transfers for jail HVAC work, school fund adjustments, and other departmental adjustments. The commission also approved budget amendments for the parks and recreation fund, special revenue funds, highway fund, debt service, school federal projects and school nutrition funds as presented in the budget packet.

Meeting materials list the unclaimed remittances as totaling more than $500,000 to date; the county attorney and finance director said the county will hold a portion available for later claims but expects most funds to be returned to the general fund.

","The commission approved a resolution requesting remitted unclaimed property balances from the Tennessee State Treasurer (a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar recovery) and passed a package of budget amendments spanning county and school funds.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233340,"Carter County commissioners adopt higher mineral severance tax rate permitted by new state law",232,7464000,7696000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8&start=7464&end=7696","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8/thumbnail_7464000.jpg","/articles/6233340/Carter-County/Tennessee/Carter-County-commissioners-adopt-higher-mineral-severance-tax-rate-permitted-by-new-state-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233340-d1797cfaa9f8ddd3676e37ce01dd81cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578994&Signature=gdjNd8pZZkrMtcUHAobYX5LbySwtOqUlPCZgthwpaOeY9jP6sSjIqmY98DdOh8YUK5ZQtr3PlvJ9nBo2JFw~FygpIyE8N~UbAiIMJ4wTorphT2PgHCtlMx7GCY9kqlgSindtjDT54oWDjtGK8pmlAbbVOOoF5WgU2U9ro4TSCTubtyuXmS6Mxpn~6Kay-Pg5YiZfpHxXT2oFLHPI6yBxUpQM2fo-8V7pVscDaqXbHZqStoy3R7qk37ejM60e5hxzY7lkAeO00tq6rOE7ll7CEKQBUrLXHFWjdl~YWJcC0icnQK1OcjU1AUWwsYv5Kj25NbcOVQZgULf2bs-vUUbpdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County commissioners on May 19 adopted a resolution increasing the county mineral severance tax to the maximum rates now permitted under recent state legislation (Public Chapter 285), with new rates effective for the tax period beginning July 1, 2025.

The resolution cites a private act from 1981 and amendments enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed as Public Chapter 285 on April 24, 2025. The county\u0000legislative body approved increasing the per‑ton severance rate to the cap allowed by the statute for the 2025–2030 period and authorized the presiding officer to deliver a certified copy of the resolution to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Why it matters: commissioners and budget committee members said the change may increase local revenues tied to mining and aggregate extraction, and could prompt greater compliance from local operators. The county attorney noted enforcement options are limited by the old private act language (for example, some prescribed fines are dated) and said collection efforts would rely on available administrative and legal remedies, including civil collection if businesses failed to remit the tax.

The budget committee recommended adoption after reviewing the statutory changes. Commissioners discussed how the county clerk\u0000handled past remittances and the practical steps for notifying and collecting from local mineral producers.

","The commission adopted a resolution to raise the county\u0000mineral severance tax to the maximum allowed under recent state legislation (Public Chapter 285), effective with the tax period beginning July 1, 2025.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6233344,"Carter County approves switch of employee health plan to Cigna with 1% renewal and 12% cap",2691,3164000,5855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8&start=3164&end=5855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3423035-2ed678bc75931c6a0864d14f3588ada8/thumbnail_3164000.jpg","/articles/6233344/Carter-County/Tennessee/Carter-County-approves-switch-of-employee-health-plan-to-Cigna-with-1-renewal-and-12-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6233344-603a50d1404aba6a18bdd0456278d8ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578994&Signature=j-kdjRWC1R1pWawaKvruWPugjuvmsA-qnWAGNYY7BggqrFlmmzfAYKQKcdiMqtt5QLKglxoJxXafoG2JyG47zuTx00eloPfqFjxk3ed8faHJv7ZvzmZKsX2AfEva0Dce-bU8iLLvZv2T6PSp4aiDvlqBITHjdDncPyonN4I0aUq1kzfmXzfzrT5RHt2qSc9skUpURF6rHpSw88ZOyCQiY7OBwULCYadns3nOC5hxegwP5a0Ejnn9y8Lg4IANcBwoPXzPCax~KzHThCi478BmWj4D96gHaUokA7Zk~-toTQlfpJHip45pVWCbjOQTfMJJsWRa4yygZnhsd1euISjI5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carter County commissioners voted May 19 to change the county’s employee medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Cigna, accepting a quoted 0.91% increase (rounded to 1%) for the 2025–26 plan year and a contractual 12% maximum rate cap for the next renewal period.

The vote followed a presentation from county benefits advisers and carriers. Presenters said Blue Cross’s final best offer had been a blended 5% increase; Cigna’s proposal would be roughly flat for most enrollees and marketed as a level-funded arrangement that provides additional claims visibility and the potential for refunds if claims run below expectations.

Why it matters: county staff and commissioners said the change is intended to protect employees’ paychecks and contain the county’s projected health-care expense (estimated at roughly $2 million in the discussion). Commissioners stressed avoiding large premium swings amid recent national renewal volatility.

County benefits advisers and carrier representatives described the tradeoffs in detail. Cigna’s rate cap letter contains caveats, including invalidation if enrollment changes by 50% or more or if a claim exceeding $500,000 surfaces before renewal. The Cigna offer was presented as “level funded” (a self-funded structure with stop‑loss insurance) that yields more aggregate claims data to county staff than the county’s fully insured relationship with Blue Cross.

Presenters highlighted several plan provisions that would not change, including matched deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums; others would change in ways the presenters called beneficial for many employees. Notable specifics discussed: a 90-day retail-supply option at participating pharmacies (for maintenance drugs), preventive medications available at $0 for HSA-qualified plans, and telehealth co-pay improvements (MDLive/Cigna telemedicine for many plans at $0–$5).

The commission also reviewed operational steps if the carrier change is approved: honoring prior authorizations issued by Blue Cross for a brief transition window (presenters said Cigna would honor Blue Cross approvals for procedures occurring within roughly the first 14 days after the July 1 effective date, provided documentation is provided) and using prior-authorization processes for specialty drugs not on Cigna’s formulary. Presenters noted prior authorization processes exist to request coverage for exceptions.

Commissioners and staff discussed member communications, preventive-screen campaigns, and a proposed separate vendor to track preventive-screen compliance; the presenters said Cigna and the county’s broker would supply monthly aggregate reporting to reduce surprise renewals. The county would also receive an $8,000 “health improvement fund” from Cigna intended for wellness initiatives.

The motion to authorize the change was made during the May 19 meeting and approved by the commission. The commission instructed staff to proceed with implementation steps, employee communications, and data transfers necessary for a July 1 effective date.

","After a multi-hour presentation and questions about network, drugs and enrollment, the Carter County Commission voted to move the county’s employee medical plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Cigna, accepting a 1% increase for the 2025–26 plan year with a contractual 12% cap the following year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor Whitby appoints Spencer Campbell and Jeff Blanton to county boards; commission acknowledges appointments

County outlines disaster-recovery work, authorizes RFP for Hampton church lot restoration (non-FEMA reimbursable)

Carter County seeks return of state-held unclaimed funds; commission approves multiple budget amendments

Carter County commissioners adopt higher mineral severance tax rate permitted by new state law

Carter County approves switch of employee health plan to Cigna with 1% renewal and 12% cap