[{"_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",6169011,"mediaKeyId","5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457","parentId",5405389,"title","Officials say Bedford County reaches broadband milestone; $100,000 grant signed for telehealth and digital access","audioSeconds",94,"startMs",4184000,"endMs",4278000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457&start=4184&end=4278","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457/thumbnail_4184000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6169011/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Officials-say-Bedford-County-reaches-broadband-milestone-100000-grant-signed-for-telehealth-and-digital-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169011-04ecc98f4e43132aa2c85ac725c5019d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104072&Signature=nVvLJQ9q1NdHVHNo32YHF~TNPotiIIX3ybc87Q~DCE5kbfBset0XyIHonuL~afMp4YD-KoR50G5iB9Jwl9bzWa2SMbNOzEMTMd91aqtPfUOFFYZgWeXsXxP9jTUry6AE1~X~RCXnZCStWO1zqOddkQLEqdFMNtNAjDL45u8nur6jGpRbzqYUZuDkUOtSwI12CPN2Fj-6zlyJ7feSzyjUA2rPUP77fODCu~LY5pzHrYDcE2s2DNTu1lpfu~MeeqYdNwuWoKSDm3l8yjh5O4k1D-4NtNJ3hTv3NsPSBMdEcdPwjBrNRUupFEryZPLG20U0U5u2Z4YTSlv3sGralJSCxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bedford County, TN","date","2025-07-16T13:04:15Z","article","County leaders told the Rules and Legislative Committee they have made major progress on a multi-year broadband effort: United Communications has deployed fiber service to more than 11,000 homes in Bedford County and completed about 100 miles of high-speed fiber in eastern parts of the county, officials said. The county also signed a $100,000 broadband-ready grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to expand telehealth, workforce development and digital access for underserved residents.

An official reported the recent fiber buildout serves areas including Wartrace and Normandy and that the county’s broadband initiative—coordinated with Connect Bedford, United Communications, UT Extension and the Shelbyville-Bedford Partnership—will use the grant to support telehealth at the veterans center, job-readiness and digital access for farmers at the UT Extension office. The official said the county signed the contract and will meet with county IT staff to finalize procurement and distribution plans.

Speakers thanked state leaders for funding and noted the county is approaching a final phase for a larger broadband program; the presenter said there is news about a large state broadband appropriation (reported in the meeting as a statewide $900 million appropriation) and that county officials are working to secure final touches for local projects. The county has not yet detailed specific procurement actions beyond signing the grant agreement and said it will finalize distribution and implementation steps in follow-up meetings.

The report was informational; no formal vote was taken beyond acceptance of the brief.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rules and Legislative Committee July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County officials reported that United Communications has built fiber to more than 11,000 homes and completed 100 miles of fiber in eastern Bedford County; the county also signed a $100,000 broadband grant to support telehealth, veterans services and workforce development.","taxTitle","Bedford County, Tennessee","taxId",28224,"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},6169015,"County staff report slaughterhouse ceased operations; neighbors and state agencies involved",72,1336000,1408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457&start=1336&end=1408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457/thumbnail_1336000.jpg","/articles/6169015/Bedford-County/Tennessee/County-staff-report-slaughterhouse-ceased-operations-neighbors-and-state-agencies-involved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169015-160dc8be4cd659521942716aa19f8ff1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104072&Signature=feZ-eCfCfHvhZmxGty5Z8WJCUDwd1nxFYGH2tif6CEgNKlqzkQuAjVplDunmzRNcCbjtOT5hqc~ygrT9LTgVOahOFyxoFkirxtppmJudlDrXmhxDoyqRWx5jhSExfHPcrTiEI-1fxWekx0A2OFUufYHCG1olhj~AoKZfqjxYUUgYsM-DTTWyMuzZl5FoVIk5RccCvxVWk9Fhawys7Fgi23HljiPZoUGse6MUyDEhzkdTYOCgwdieawBxY3rWf9WsAYloBAiSt4NKpXpYJQQduPpHWFilO78oE5jkdqG8dosUI8sYfJXbklee-q0n4kM5bv7i9PxQdmgpqYO6a1ySfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff told the Rules and Legislative Committee that a previously reported slaughterhouse had ceased operations and that animals on site were removed. Nakia reported that the county had been notified that the stock was picked up and that neighbors had not seen animals return; county staff said they drove by the site and saw only one yearling visible outside a barn.

Committee members discussed zoning compliance for slaughterhouse operations. A speaker reminded commissioners that running a slaughterhouse requires zoning approval and said that if the operation resumes the county should address zoning noncompliance. The committee did not take further enforcement action at the meeting; members said they would monitor the situation and revisit zoning enforcement if animals or operations resume.

The committee’s discussion was informational: staff reported the animals had been removed and that the USDA and state agencies had been involved in prior oversight related to animal disposal and carcasses; no formal enforcement action or vote was recorded at this meeting.","Officials reported that a local slaughterhouse ceased operations and stock was removed after state and USDA involvement; commissioners discussed zoning compliance and possible follow-up if noncompliance recurs.",{"_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},6169020,"Committee recommends renaming building-code appeals board to cover fire code; no new authority added",128,1527000,1655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457&start=1527&end=1655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457/thumbnail_1527000.jpg","/articles/6169020/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Committee-recommends-renaming-building-code-appeals-board-to-cover-fire-code-no-new-authority-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169020-a4097e33ffc9268d4b6d4526f95d81ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104072&Signature=kmfyyP7HquE1xV420yRHz~yM5ot8gg14I-2j-XZYykEMNjkFLPfNx7xU8q1Yjb4KL-EH3TXXQ2KnuIxH1xwybeiErQ4HtmqoljW-hOSPmUzL53450u745ys8Uk20tT5dTVTGKC~OcH3XfKkcOs27H03OmnEV7pGY0WzgoNErtF1fsTxp7v16ogQAeIdSUwRshVRnMWqrhYQPngGENsMqKEJswC9zgKh1XnYCjDVbOggKP4sBhPbsAOI3mSfCAai3ni9x31XxAPmT5wmo22kHRnfoiq4x~FO2GZOqCjVpRy08vLSoSzMw0DvVteCyu22tpJgMN3fQ9Homq4qQstXOiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules and Legislative Committee reviewed a proposed resolution that would change the name and scope of the existing board that hears code appeals so it covers both building and fire codes. Committee members were told the board already exists (established February 2007) and performs appeals and advisory roles for the county’s adopted codes; the proposed amendment updates the board’s title and scope to comply with fire-code requirements.

A county staff member explained that the current Board of Building Code Appeals has handled permit-fee and school-facilities-tax appeals and that the fire code’s adoption requires a similar appeals mechanism. The staffer said the proposal would not assign any new authority or responsibilities to the board beyond what it already performs; it would simply expand the board’s coverage to include the fire code and align county documentation with current practice. The staffer said the board has rarely been convened in recent years and that appeals hearings have been infrequent.

Commissioners asked whether the change would shift responsibilities or give the board new power over school facilities tax collection; staff replied it would not. Commissioners also asked whether the fire department supported the change; a member of the fire service who serves on the board confirmed the board already functions for both codes and that the change is administrative. The committee voted to forward the resolution to the full commission for consideration.

No new appeals authority was created at this meeting; the committee’s action was to move the housekeeping change forward to the commission for adoption.","The committee reviewed a resolution to rename the Board of Building Code Appeals as the Code of Appeals to include the fire code; staff said the change is housekeeping to align with codes already adopted and will not transfer new powers to the board.",{"_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},6169025,"Bedford County committee delays vote on targeted spay-and-neuter rules after wide public debate",2430,137000,2567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457&start=137&end=2567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5405389-585c0c405b085baee047849c2c6f5457/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6169025/Bedford-County/Tennessee/Bedford-County-committee-delays-vote-on-targeted-spay-and-neuter-rules-after-wide-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6169025-45bfe32be4965ae602f394eb88d15cfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104072&Signature=osX~snmCf4Mua8jSM5o8CUCbdH4hOyYdtVySuCboxmGdWoRPDnFmEdGrfRL-rA2-riaobScpSI90ncgiIe~B-Lte7ZV33qKFT6UALirwCx8ATfW6vLt-ixMLO6dnSZRLPe6qASC8aF8ABprwxrCTkGyjxZnjLUr2-S2gOZUDBLYoL0x60D460~j8CppFXhcWp9kYjZZ9qILQEAjG~nN3qClBQnYLEF-8ZduwQpgAAXuo03tmaKBl4NT6k8UHNStgrEO3083047994X7sjETD7pxkg6~xlut5I4bGiyRSo2XSOOpk5icMyhRC-c6m6RMyy5U4AwGhm8uBdSOmkxGopQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bedford County Rules and Legislative Committee on Tuesday heard widespread public comment and staff testimony about a proposed animal-control resolution that would require animals picked up for running at large or chronically tethered to be spayed or neutered or face fines; the committee voted to delay final action for one month and asked Commissioner Epperson to return with a revised draft and a process for public input.

Supporters said targeted sterilization and fines could reduce shelter intake and save taxpayer money. Donna Clanton of New Destiny Dog Rescue urged the committee to “have spay and neuter requirements or pay a yearly fee” and suggested a $100 annual fee per unaltered dog as an example. Savannah, representing Better Days Dog Rescue, said more than 60% of shelter intake are pit bull–type dogs and estimated each dog costs the county “$400 to $600 to trap, house, feed, vet, and sometimes euthanize,” arguing that targeted enforcement would reduce intake and spending. An unnamed cat-rescue representative said cats should be included and quoted national estimates for stray animals, which she gave as about 5,000,000 dogs and 33,000,000 cats in the United States.

The proposal discussed by the committee is a targeted spay-and-neuter approach tied to existing running-at-large citations rather than a blanket mandatory sterilization rule for all dogs. Under the draft described to the committee, an owner whose animal is picked up running at large would receive a citation and be given 90 days to have the animal altered; if the owner does not comply the DA’s office could pursue the citation. The draft sets a jurisdictional penalty provision that the presenter said should read “no more than $500” (the draft currently referenced $50 and used wording that the presenter said should be fixed). Presenters also said the ordinance would not take effect for one year so residents would have time to prepare.

Animal-control staff and other county officials cautioned that the county currently lacks facility space and staff capacity to implement the resolution as written. Josie, identified in the meeting as Bedford County Animal Control director, told the committee the shelter’s operation is already at maximum capacity, that the facility was not designed for current needs and that staff are stretched thin. Josie said the shelter currently houses 61 animals and calculated a shortfall of roughly 181.5 staff hours per week relative to a common industry benchmark of 15 minutes of direct care per animal per day. She warned that adding enforcement or surgical programs without additional personnel and facility upgrades would risk overloading the department.

Officials and commissioners also raised procedural and fairness concerns for rural residents. Several commissioners asked how the proposed ordinance would affect residents with large or remote properties and described scenarios—dogs running on large parcels or following owners in fields—where a neighbor might report a dog as running at large even though the animal was on the owner’s property. Commissioners recommended exemptions commonly included in other counties’ rules, such as veterinary medical exemptions and exemptions for working/hunting dogs, and discussed possible step-up enforcement (warning first, citation second).

There was debate about enforcement workload. The presenter said Blount County passed a targeted spay-and-neuter ordinance and Williamson County enforces a spay-and-neuter requirement through its running-at-large law; she said Blount County did not have to add staff. Animal-control staff disputed that comparison, noting that neighboring counties benefit from volunteer groups, nonprofit partners, and different facility capacity, and that Bedford County’s current shelter lacks both space and veterinary staff to absorb additional surgical work. The animal-control director highlighted that daily duties already include calls, intake processing, kennel care, transport, and community outreach; during multi-day spay clinics staff act as intake and veterinary technicians, limiting the ability to respond to emergencies.

After extended public comment and discussion, commissioners agreed not to adopt the resolution at this meeting. Commissioner Bowman moved to defer the matter for one month and requested that Commissioner Epperson prepare a draft process and stakeholder plan; the motion passed. Committee members asked that the follow-up include a proposed study group or task force with rescue organizations, animal-control staff, a veterinarian, municipal representatives, the county attorney’s office, and other stakeholders to produce a recommended structure for any ordinance and associated budget implications.

The committee’s action was procedural: it postponed the resolution to allow additional review, stakeholder meetings, and a transparent process for drafting a final ordinance and any resource requests. The committee directed Commissioner Epperson to return next month with a plan for public engagement and a revised draft. The county did not adopt any new ordinance or fines at the meeting.","The county’s Rules and Legislative Committee heard hours of public comment and staff testimony on a proposed animal-control resolution that would require altered animals seized as running at large to be sterilized or owners to pay fines; members agreed to form a study group and return the draft next month.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Officials say Bedford County reaches broadband milestone; $100,000 grant signed for telehealth and digital access

County staff report slaughterhouse ceased operations; neighbors and state agencies involved

Committee recommends renaming building-code appeals board to cover fire code; no new authority added

Bedford County committee delays vote on targeted spay-and-neuter rules after wide public debate