[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6467194,"mediaKeyId","5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded","parentId",5809579,"title","Loudon City Council approves vehicle purchase, Liberty Park contingency and zoning change; budget amended for K-9 support","audioSeconds",882,"startMs",550000,"endMs",1432000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded&start=550&end=1432","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded/thumbnail_550000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6467194/Loudon-City/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Loudon-City-Council-approves-vehicle-purchase-Liberty-Park-contingency-and-zoning-change-budget-amended-for-K-9-support","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467194-6f3237bcfa0ca4b618a196e54a009369/orig.mp4?Expires=1776042948&Signature=W0xRvSn1rGe1hC7nyGSxZIMiVz9UZ~nD4Lt0~oipzsbAVV3Fm6ym9wLADhdfBxLlrcet1dd4h-RfeCshEHJUn2D~4ThQY6a0WdCivI9M6YgqcaFEhTSQfIoqr4pRjRd7X-FkR21ULPilmVjR4LGRH3zty6et6CI~9lzFoagBa~brrpQEYtdUeKxTszccr-2leX041mYXC7OQ8hMfJ~Xr0Oy0SJraVNjIIbHHkdoXVPQD3fYy7v-xo7YjhyaWm0z1BTDZNiOx-XLwLDn-LHJX4lehe2VrEFbKF7JJfgTSgLDXND~V~cqTzUX0iF4inelOyGDmgwXtALg1Sph7TPV4Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Loudon City","date","2025-09-22T23:05:33.863Z","article","Loudon City Council adopted a series of resolutions and ordinances at its Sept. 22 meeting, approving a vehicle purchase for Parks, Recreation and Tourism, contingency funding for Liberty Park, a ball-diamonds use agreement, a rezoning on Commerce Street and an amendment to the FY 2025–26 budget to provide for a K-9 unit and related signage.

Council business moved quickly on several items that drew little debate. Mayor Jeff Harris presided as the council voted unanimously on voice or roll-call votes to approve the measures.

The council approved authorization to purchase a 2025 Ford F-150 for the Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. According to staff, the FY2025–26 budget included $46,851 for a new vehicle; the recommended purchase exceeds that amount by $1,786 because of the model year. Council approved the purchase after brief discussion and a voice vote.

Council also approved a resolution authorizing up to $95,000 in contingency funds for Liberty Park improvements to reduce the need for repeated change orders during construction. Council made the approval by motion and voice vote.

The council approved a use agreement with the Loudon Diamond Club for ball-diamond and concession-stand operations. Council members described the current arrangement as effective and voted to renew the agreement by motion and voice vote.

On second reading, the council adopted an ordinance to rezone property on Commerce Street (tax map 041B, parcels 222–324) from C-1, Central Business District, to P-1, Professional and Civic District. The ordinance citation referenced in the meeting was “13-7203 and 204” (as read aloud during the session). The rezoning passed on a roll-call vote: Vice Mayor Dixon — aye; Council Member Cardwell — aye; Council Member Ridings — yes; Mayor Harris — aye.

The council also approved an amendment to the FY2025–26 fiscal-year budget to provide for a K-9 unit from the Loud County Sheriff’s Department and associated items, which the meeting record tied to an LED sign on Highway 72. That amendment passed on a roll-call vote: Council Member Newman — aye; Council Member Ridings — yes; Council Member Cardwell — aye; Vice Mayor Dixon — aye; Mayor Harris — aye.

Procedural notes and limited discussion
Council members asked few substantive questions on the items. On the vehicle purchase, a council member asked about the $1,786 overrun; staff said the amount reflected model-year pricing and recommended the purchase to support department operations. On the Liberty Park contingency, council and staff discussed limiting change orders and using a contingency amount to manage unforeseen costs.

What passed (selection)
- Authorize purchase of 2025 Ford F-150 for Parks, Recreation and Tourism — approved (voice vote). Over budget by $1,786.
- Authorize up to $95,000 contingency for Liberty Park improvements — approved (voice vote).
- Approve ball-diamond and concession-stand use agreement with Loudon Diamond Club — approved (voice vote).
- Adopt zoning map amendment: Commerce Street parcels (Tax Map 041B, parcels 222–324) rezoned from C-1 to P-1 — approved (roll call).
- Amend FY2025–26 budget to add funding for a K-9 unit (Loud County Sheriff’s Department) and LED sign on Highway 72 — approved (roll call).

Next steps
Each approved item will be implemented by staff per existing procedures: procurement and purchase orders for the vehicle, contract administration and contingency management for Liberty Park, execution of the use agreement with the Loudon Diamond Club, processing of the rezoning ordinance consistent with local code, and line-item budget adjustments for the FY2025–26 amendment.

Votes and official motions appear in the meeting minutes for Sept. 22, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loudon City Council 9- 22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Loudon City Council adopted a series of resolutions and ordinances at its Sept. 22 meeting, approving a vehicle purchase for Parks, Recreation and Tourism, contingency funding for Liberty Park, a ball-diamonds use agreement, a rezoning on Commerce Street and an amendment to the FY 2025–26 budget to provide for a K-9 unit and related signage.","taxTitle","Loudon City, Loudon County, Tennessee","taxId",54395,"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},6467184,"Loudon City touted for top public vote in Levitt Foundation competition; announcement due Nov. 18",382,248000,630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded&start=248&end=630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6467184/Loudon-City/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Loudon-City-touted-for-top-public-vote-in-Levitt-Foundation-competition-announcement-due-Nov-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467184-0cdb13863dd283e33173e7c118b072bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1776042948&Signature=XYtkpS0aQ7qO4GTqcz8exvbDxjFCNHfaHdH9LFtS3L1yEENQw8hx78CGkSbTOBkuO4015ibxk5uJS6ouNvuAnpwD1N~IljAZOcfmpLtNq1xsw-tfGyxz~PwIN1OdEvVIkzlAE~XCmPL-2SfoFp~CNdWy-bJgP5jCQ0gUVkuhpW9Z-1HJxgOqQZFafbubVMdSgAtExGGZU-lnzxEvONRv1Z9RlBtgdqLL0g-jejayRfoNNgR4MdbyvhAQP20T3BNn1jEytY7t1DF0EmBl7W7I9fBt92GNjbDI3EzVfSFOjAtf5cZpE0-oOO~W7XPzTZKDp4xQu7Mmw5zpKuQyCpR20w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Loudon City officials and community volunteers told the council on Sept. 22 that the city finished first in Tennessee in the Levitt Foundation’s public-vote round for an amphitheater grant, and they described a grassroots push to get voters to support the city’s application.

Mayor Jeff Harris and Tammy Roberts, a consultant with S3GS Strategies and a member of the local limelight board, credited community volunteers and organizers for the result. Roberts described door-to-door and neighborhood outreach during the public-vote stage and said volunteers encouraged voters to recruit additional voters in their networks.

Roberts told the council that the public-vote field began with roughly 600 entrants and was narrowed to 108 in a national round; Loudon City placed first in Tennessee in that public-vote tally, she said. Council members cautioned that placement in the public vote does not equal receipt of the grant: Roberts said the Levitt Foundation will complete an evaluation and announce grant recipients on Nov. 18.

Council and staff said they had applied for the Levitt grant and had staffed outreach efforts. Mayor Harris said the city hired Tammy Roberts to assist with outreach and credited her for mobilizing volunteers, including staff at city events.

Why it matters
A Levitt Foundation amphitheater grant would support cultural programming and could require the city to demonstrate capacity for public engagement and event promotion — the public vote is one element of that evaluation, according to the speakers. No grant award had been confirmed at the Sept. 22 meeting.

What the record shows
- City reported being first in Tennessee in the Levitt Foundation public-vote round.
- Tammy Roberts and volunteers led community outreach; Roberts is affiliated with S3GS Strategies and the local limelight board.
- The city will await the Levitt Foundation’s evaluation and a formal announcement on Nov. 18.

Next steps
City staff and volunteers expected a site evaluation by the Levitt Foundation in the weeks before the Nov. 18 announcement. Council did not take formal action related to the Levitt application during the meeting.","City leaders and organizers told the council the community finished first in Tennessee in a public vote for a Levitt Foundation amphitheater grant competition; city representatives said the final grant recipient will be announced Nov. 18 and that a community volunteer push powered the public vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":44,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":50,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6467189,"Residents press Loudon City Council over disputed Blair Lane right-of-way; council to review deeds",716,1266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5809579-bf1f391174c3f260fed1e2647079dded&start=550&end=1266","/articles/6467189/Loudon-City/Loudon-County/Tennessee/Residents-press-Loudon-City-Council-over-disputed-Blair-Lane-right-of-way-council-to-review-deeds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6467189-6135f6c5a22f04c7c96cde44e4b2e151/orig.mp4?Expires=1776042948&Signature=VtPCm2eGKF9wnrNcOHRXvLzQaJUfVYSm5WX-SXk6JslzuSXCG1GKpHs54tdiAlzki1~ohx7OvblEYuMdQ4rmmZApeJ0awWt-7we-B8ZjCTg2Ngadki104phByj-IARgq4bAIMNCfHpkBLKtbPgaRBGOnXo8DvFaWu00rqQNTfaNTGKushGoNC65~tHmQ1SojPIoy2ZGPJe4f~qKFLM87Wx8f-xCpzeTUvbOl8EAAFhLmsUOrCZfwj0vT7Zct7UocepxgPFAOB1cU1uy189~Qgg11WhcDFElpviX0AWcpwHeLl2Gr5ENDb2Pe93VsGtlUJpDXDDjH5HGKS9A6tIo19Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brent Watson and family members urged Loudon City Council to review property records after they said a 100-foot right-of-way referenced in a warranty deed and a 2011 ordinance has been treated as if it were mapped to another party, affecting access to two family parcels.

Watson told the council that the right-of-way near Blair Lane has been ‘‘given to Frenia’’ on the tax map and described earlier deeds and surveys that, he said, show a dedicated 100-foot road right-of-way tied to the property. He said the mapping issue has prevented two sales and forced the return of earnest money on at least one contract.

City Attorney Chris responded during the citizens-input portion that the city has taken no change-of-ownership action: “there's been no change of ownership of of any property,” he said. Chris added that an ordinance (referenced by Watson as “20 11 dash 12”) appeared intended to dedicate the gravel or asphalt portion of the existing road and to name it Blair Lane; he said the assessor’s mapping work will be reviewed further to resolve a mapping discrepancy.

Mayor Jeff Harris told the speakers the council would take the provided paperwork and review the matter. Watson and other family members handed the council signed copies of a warranty deed, a 1998 survey and other materials. Watson said an out-of-town real estate attorney also reviewed some documents for the family and that the survey page includes coordinates and descriptive language referencing the right-of-way.

Council did not take formal action at the meeting. Mayor Harris and staff said they would review the submitted documents and follow up; no timeline was given.

Why it matters
Watson said the mapping discrepancy has practical consequences: he said two previous sales fell through because prospective buyers were informed they lacked legal access. He said one contract required returning the buyer’s earnest money; another buyer also backed out for the same reason.

What the record shows
- Citizen speaker: Brent Watson (spoke on behalf of family property owners) presented copies of a signed warranty deed and a survey he said dates to 1998; he said original deed language from 1980 references a public right-of-way and that an ordinance in 2011 dedicated the road as Blair Lane.
- City response: City Attorney Chris said the city has not changed ownership of any property and that the assessor’s mapping apparently recorded the road in a way that needs further review. Mayor Harris said staff would look at the submitted paperwork.

Next steps
The council did not vote on the matter. Staff and the city attorney indicated they will examine the documents that residents provided and coordinate with the property assessor; the council asked residents to provide any additional materials they have.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the citizens-input portion of the Sept. 22 meeting.","Residents Brent Watson and Thomas Blair told the city council that a 100-foot right-of-way shown in a warranty deed dating to 1980 and referenced in a 2011 ordinance appears to have been mapped to a third party, leaving two parcels effectively landlocked; the city attorney said no ownership transfer has occurred and council will review submitted","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Loudon City Council approves vehicle purchase, Liberty Park contingency and zoning change; budget amended for K-9 support

Loudon City touted for top public vote in Levitt Foundation competition; announcement due Nov. 18

Residents press Loudon City Council over disputed Blair Lane right-of-way; council to review deeds