[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6184170,"mediaKeyId","5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094","parentId",5092732,"title","Sullivan County commission confirms building commissioner, approves school director bond and elects District 6 constable","audioSeconds",1324,"startMs",216000,"endMs",1540000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094&start=216&end=1540","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094/thumbnail_216000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184170/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Sullivan-County-commission-confirms-building-commissioner-approves-school-director-bond-and-elects-District-6-constable","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184170-0134d961240db67c7ed1130553d414e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951976&Signature=VyxGqEKgiYPmIxRXc5EOtTnyk4cWjBrHPfWddNly9yx2QJSRYXrX0UbR7uzGh7F2efcowNae8r7H1OqZSpwL2m31GdE2pYTusANWqvrkdKnEruCol7NZCRUynHauSlTnvyBZ0SGOKmkznMBZquMat3GESOugH8qS5BsznD7zEH96qjeBY7ZcxzQWKTZnFdxD1tnt6q3G19Qc4vgmXBAlvdTeZTqIihwhKebH71xtgO2Vxf5rFYXnhOqSqWREtCHvcciDJGcHXYOYBoRZlGlM1D6UEiJSyYC0e9F7X-cvm~KjzSa6sGq8edR1Hs5Yp3CuEL-wzqSD7fBEkrRJjlBIcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sullivan County, TN","date","2025-06-27T11:46:15Z","article","Sullivan County commissioners handled multiple personnel and appointment items at their June meeting, confirming a new building commissioner, approving a statutory bond for the schools director, declining a utility board appointment, and electing a District 6 constable.

Appointments and bonds: The commission confirmed Nathan Walsh as building commissioner. Commissioners discussed the statutory nature of the position; one commissioner explained the building commissioner “enforces the zoning code” and is an enforcement official rather than a planning supervisor. County leadership said Walsh has passed required certification exams. The mayor introduced Walsh as certified in residential building inspection, plumbing inspection and mechanical inspection and recommended his confirmation. The vote recorded on the appointment met the necessary majority and the commission announced the appointment on the record.

The commission approved a statutory bond for Chuck Carter, director of Sullivan County Schools, by recorded vote.

Utility board appointment: The commission considered David Horton’s appointment to the Bloomingdale Utility District Board but the appointment did not receive the necessary majority and was not adopted.

District 6 constable election: The commission held nominations and elected Wesley (Wes) Whitaker to finish the remaining term of Henry Price (retired effective May 31, 2025). Commissioners nominated Richie Green and Wes Whitaker; each candidate spoke to the commission. Whitaker described a long career in local law enforcement, probation and private misdemeanor probation services and asked for the commission’s support. Richie Green described years in public service and work with the county rescue squad and sheriff’s office. The commission conducted a roll‑call vote; Whitaker received 14 votes to Green’s 7, with three commissioners absent, and was declared duly elected. Whitaker addressed the commission after the vote: “I just wanna say thank you all so much for voting for me and I'll do the best job I can.”

Why it matters: The building commissioner enforces local zoning and inspection codes; the constable fills a locally elected law‑enforcement role for District 6; the school director’s bond is a statutory administrative requirement. The utility board appointment failed because it did not secure the necessary majority vote. Commissioners directed follow‑up where statutory or certification requirements were raised during the discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sullivan County Commission Meeting - 6/26/25","oneSentenceSummary","The commission confirmed Nathan Walsh as building commissioner, approved a statutory bond for Sullivan County Schools Director Chuck Carter, rejected an appointment to the Bloomingdale Utility District and elected Wesley (Wes) Whitaker as constable for Commission District 6 by a 14‑7 recorded vote.","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},6184175,"Sullivan County approves $395,000 hotel‑motel transfer to tourism bureau amid calls for reporting",300,4569000,4869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094&start=4569&end=4869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094/thumbnail_4569000.jpg","/articles/6184175/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Sullivan-County-approves-395000-hotelmotel-transfer-to-tourism-bureau-amid-calls-for-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184175-f6f5fb05e90d58c7b234c90c553126a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951976&Signature=M6eJTsYeZJA3jbjDi0TZwVyZ1Lj6x1ZL1OnejIdsdDviwU7kpTP8BHnOcnezFKgnAD0qeuOb2qamKvQ0yYtd-sIZ8aMMJ4qHdUc6nYVl9efa0~AvjqRLfvuw10DE3ft4MHQyfCKt~d1f9PbF~Cbc2cicDbfyqNPN8mK3QyVHzrLCU0f-kS2aqo8qe06OxB6s1MEgDGs3WY4NowesKQdktL5bzSRWNXNoBZ7GH-rAKLGxdTwLZIVODoxop4WJRo4I7EbxSXxs-mm4k6ov7nI5Ibq2yT2Kuu3Bpl-leAPBgQ3rzMlBbNeIcbBk7pydz5ramjQ1vjb~fnYQrzzdRXyjdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sullivan County Commission voted to amend the fiscal 2024–25 general fund to include $395,000 in hotel‑motel tax collections to be distributed to the county’s tourism entity (NET), a move commissioners said was needed before the fiscal year closes.

Several commissioners objected to advancing funds without receiving a formal presentation showing how earlier appropriations had been used. Commissioner Jones said the commission “voted against this when it came up the first time to increase a budget” and added, “I haven’t seen 1 item since that version 500,000 was passed to show what’s been done for Sullivan. Not 1 presentation, not 1 piece of advertising material, marketing material for Sullivan County have we received.” Commissioner Crossamont echoed concerns about lack of feedback, and Commissioner Slayton criticized the department for holding funds without consulting the commission.

Sponsor Commissioner Vanover said the tourism entity will appear before the commission next month to provide a report and that the county must appropriate the funds now to meet fiscal‑year obligations. The resolution as approved directs the finance department to record the appropriation and requires quarterly reporting on the use of funds.

The vote to adopt the appropriation was 19 in favor, 2 opposed and 3 absent. Commissioners who opposed the measure cited the lack of accounting and presentation on prior spending.

Why it matters: hotel‑motel tax funds are public revenues earmarked for tourism promotion and related activities; commissioners argued both for fulfilling contractual or resolution obligations and for stronger reporting on how those funds are spent. The sponsor said the tourism entity will present next month and the appropriation is necessary to avoid default on distribution commitments before the fiscal year ends.","The commission approved a $395,000 appropriation of hotel‑motel tax funds to NET (the county’s tourism entity) despite objections from several commissioners who said they had not received reports on how prior funds were spent; the appropriation passed 19‑2.",{"_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},6184180,"Sullivan County to reimburse Bristol for Midway Medical Park purchase to reopen health department clinic",609,3246000,3855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094&start=3246&end=3855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092732-ad60fb2abf4033db04a490491f86c094/thumbnail_3246000.jpg","/articles/6184180/Sullivan-County/Tennessee/Sullivan-County-to-reimburse-Bristol-for-Midway-Medical-Park-purchase-to-reopen-health-department-clinic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184180-61a6680c26ee6d654a5675d92c4b954e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951976&Signature=H0g0N-yi0YnvgpZtM5YQoAjOMog46D2h1yropfQcLK2RxcTX9l99KtbiH8HHzrAMIOVOXIojLlIPJj6ddT2TDSk35cM72heSGMDWhu3aetedmvHDbTRq38o5EjSq9fGsUZY7z~i4mYq77~GpHMMXbXEzzYwjBUSsLnAx8yoIkTy96bfzBjH~CgItXmUVQKqGxlBLf47CahcJMhK~e2hWzFmaXtyjXXUs3mNPr5RcwZRiyq9shVxdavKOBbnxWVo6yJ87XUjfGoXFOX7BR~dpINC-amz9CJS3R4VcrptU1P1i5k-jwGpWzBHo5q2441QY1uLIzYUtEIMbfDR5dzfn5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sullivan County Commission voted to authorize a partnership with the City of Bristol to purchase Midway Medical Park and establish a Sullivan County Regional Health Department clinic there, approving the resolution by roll call on first reading and final passage.

The agreement the commission approved authorizes the city to close on the building for $589,000, with the city paying the full purchase price at closing and Sullivan County reimbursing Bristol $400,000 in four equal installments of $100,000 on Jan. 1 of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. The county will also pay 70% of closing costs and is slated to occupy a lease‑purchase interest of 6,141 square feet (4,386 square feet on the lower floor and about 1,754 square feet on the upper floor). The city will retain roughly 2,631 square feet of the upper floor for city employee services.

The resolution sets procedures for a condominium plat to be prepared after the county completes reimbursement and directs the county and city attorneys to negotiate both a lease‑purchase agreement and a maintenance agreement. Under the maintenance terms described in the resolution, the city will maintain 100% of the outside grounds and the upper‑level parking; major building repairs will be split 70% by Sullivan County and 30% by Bristol; and repairs that affect only one owner’s portion will be paid 100% by that owner.

Why it matters: county and city officials said the site will restore clinic capacity in Bristol that county leaders described as missing for decades. Commissioner Harvey told the commission, “it’s been 35 years since Bristol has had a building to service their citizens,” arguing the project will bring health services back to the city. Commissioner Crosswhite, who toured the space, said, “it is already set up for a clinic. It’s amazing.”

Discussion on the floor included administration and legal coordination. County Attorney Street indicated he could negotiate but asked for clear direction from the county’s client (the mayor or health department) on final choices: “I don’t mind to do the work, but I need somebody to tell me what goes into. I don’t make the decisions.” Commissioners agreed language would be added directing the county attorney to act with direction from the mayor when negotiating the final documents.

The commission adopted the resolution in a recorded vote. Next steps spelled out in the measure include formal negotiation of the lease‑purchase and maintenance agreements by the two cities’ attorneys, execution of payments per the installment schedule, and preparation of a condominium plat and new titles after the county completes reimbursement.","The county commission approved a resolution to partner with the City of Bristol to buy Midway Medical Park for the Sullivan County Regional Health Department, with Sullivan repaying Bristol $400,000 in four annual $100,000 installments beginning Jan. 1, 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sullivan County commission confirms building commissioner, approves school director bond and elects District 6 constable

Sullivan County approves $395,000 hotel‑motel transfer to tourism bureau amid calls for reporting

Sullivan County to reimburse Bristol for Midway Medical Park purchase to reopen health department clinic