[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6458127,"mediaKeyId","5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5","parentId",5823849,"title","Copper Basin Fire Department seeks meeting with county executive to clarify shelter staffing; commissioners direct interim appointment","audioSeconds",1096,"startMs",1372000,"endMs",2468000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5&start=1372&end=2468","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5/thumbnail_1372000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458127/Polk-County/Tennessee/Copper-Basin-Fire-Department-seeks-meeting-with-county-executive-to-clarify-shelter-staffing-commissioners-direct-interim-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458127-37faa607c9149822ae263dcf78ae5735/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140285&Signature=nW83VI8wlmKHPKlp7et3mqZsKqarWNe1UFWsa5Iu7qo6t8q542ELOQVW2Xxv8NnOJOhUiJN3CZenkyiC0-yTj1k1RqFa6fs9Sek~-M9zfogRgPRRjyZsX8kylxwF6L3qjYt8eYRnEvLHStV6ttHePs~RPSVZTMFG8ouxM~x5lgTK8x6XtvuudHx-QYy~nC9RIpS-zpwXaU5bI3dOrBZNWx8ATe~FQp4uk2fDDsx4s5l0QTZnO5Hqq2mZLTwbsPt28guj05o1Py-TcFIVyR3eD452cDmgvNpkVTnSUizvFOuVSWN1NkDMnzNp0ePJnLGxKmMRJEfPIw8YrB~spM7VRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Polk County","date","2025-09-25T10:04:40.003Z","article","Leaders of the Copper Basin Fire Department told the Polk County Commission on Tuesday they support having an emergency shelter at the Ducktown fire station but want a formal discussion with County Executive Robbie Hatcher to clarify responsibilities, training and liability.

\"We support the county,\" Copper Basin Fire Chief Marty (identified in the meeting as the department chief) said, describing a July letter his board sent to the county requesting a meeting to discuss shelter operations and training. \"We absolutely support public safety. Simply put, we support...the idea of a shelter being at the Ducktown Fire Station. It's in a good location.\"

Marty told commissioners his board reviewed the department charter and concluded that sheltering is a county function that should be handled via county agreements and, when appropriate, the American Red Cross. He said Copper Basin volunteers have staffed the Ducktown shelter for 3 1/2 years and that the department is willing to continue but believes operations can be improved with county support and formal training. \"We need more training,\" he said, citing shelter manager training, ADA training and safety/security training as areas where volunteers would benefit.

County Executive Robbie Hatcher (referred to in the meeting by his first name and as county executive) said he had received calls about a rumor that the shelter had been shut down and emphasized there had been no official closure. He said that the commission last month passed a motion giving him authority to appoint someone to staff and run the shelter when it is open. \"Robbie appoints somebody to run that center when there's an emergency until y'all get this all worked out,\" a commissioner said; the motion was restated and left standing in the meeting.

Commissioners and speakers discussed operational difficulties the fire department faces when staffing both emergency response and a shelter simultaneously. Marty said there have been instances in which storms required shelter openings with short notice and insufficient volunteer staffing. He said Copper Basin wants to meet with Hatcher to agree on roles, training and Red Cross engagement before refusing shelter responsibility.

At least one commissioner and multiple members of the public recommended developing a broader county emergency plan and a local community emergency response team (CERT) to provide trained local shelter staff rather than relying on volunteer firefighters. A county resident who identified himself as not part of the fire department said he preferred that volunteers not run shelters and urged the commission to empower an emergency manager to build local CERT capacity.

Clarifying details included: Copper Basin has staffed the Ducktown shelter intermittently for 3 1/2 years; the department's board sent a letter in July requesting a meeting with the county executive; the American Red Cross conducts specialized shelter training and only the county executive can sign official agreements with Red Cross on behalf of Polk County; the commission had previously authorized the county executive to appoint a shelter manager to operate the site when opened.

The commission directed Hatcher to appoint an interim person to run the shelter during emergencies while the county and Copper Basin discuss a longer-term, formal arrangement with Red Cross training and possible identification of non-firefighter local volunteers. Commissioners said they will try to schedule a follow-up meeting including the county emergency manager, Red Cross and fire department representatives to clarify expectations and training needs.

The longer discussion underscored communication gaps: several speakers said the shelter was sometimes listed as open when no staff was present and that better documented processes and recordkeeping were needed. The Copper Basin board said it accepts responsibility for the letter's tone and asked for a meeting to resolve misunderstandings.

The commission did not adopt any ordinance or formal contract at the meeting; it left an interim appointment in place and asked staff to schedule a multi-party meeting for a future session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Polk County Commission 9-18-2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a letter from the Copper Basin Fire Department raised questions about shelter operations at the Ducktown fire station, fire officials asked to meet with County Executive Robbie Hatcher to clarify roles and training; commissioners instructed the executive to appoint an interim shelter manager pending discussion.","taxTitle","Polk County, Tennessee","taxId",73406,"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},6458131,"Polk County judge asks commission to reallocate funds to meet new juvenile-data reporting law",2074,2561000,4635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5&start=2561&end=4635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","/articles/6458131/Polk-County/Tennessee/Polk-County-judge-asks-commission-to-reallocate-funds-to-meet-new-juvenile-data-reporting-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458131-896720ad1cacd683066704fbb8a7b17c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140285&Signature=WOoSruZgKFJvdBU58jUr-54jKCMcJcf6jdazAxF93JlS1Q88d2jzWUej8aJPB72wh1e6-mv-tdjKbX4mJZElT-0au5eblmW-1kIQut9eGp49~qsbGqyekVt7U5~sXJdDK2~~iJW2xEWq~qsrexmM~7Daw--u0ieIVhFJiystPUQclPHimJIp8ldtjoWd3pWwhBpedPSJKgeMtfHNrlavzBtv6-k0CWifN1Gc5q-4XZSRFfDrMx5eURkOkqELKXMZK2J6XfUwfVa~3DsmPXnR35LRaQV9mXaLLTw3TUUFeSKHRDbmYMVpwjEjbF7G7KG9A5UfasnRtDDr~ySv2DfjBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Polk County juvenile-court judge told the county commission on Tuesday that a new Tennessee law requiring detailed juvenile-court data reporting has created an immediate staffing and training need and asked commissioners to reallocate existing budget lines so the county stays in compliance.

The judge said the administrative office of the courts may report noncompliance to state legislative committees after Oct. 1 and urged the commission to move money already in the juvenile budget into the youth service officer (YSO) line and to fund a part-time clerical position to support data entry. \"If you're not in compliance by Oct. 1,\" the judge said, \"the administrative office of the courts shall file a report of the noncompliance\" to state officials.

The judge said the YSO currently performs accurate data entry and receives periodic training required by the new system (referred to in the meeting as \"Quest\"). The judge described the YSO as an experienced staffer who has worked in the office since February 2009 and noted that the YSO will retire in the near term. The judge asked commissioners to shift money from an unfilled probation officer line into the YSO salary line and to use remaining funds to hire a part-time person to handle phone and clerical tasks while the YSO focuses on the complex reporting.

The judge described the technical requirements of the new state reporting as detailed and specialized: data-entry staff must understand judicial diversion, adjudication, delinquent and unruly case classifications and other juvenile-court concepts to avoid errors. She said the county receives a small grant (described in the meeting as roughly $9,500) that helps offset the YSO salary, but that the county must ensure the person doing the data entry has the required experience or credentials.

Commissioners discussed options and asked clarifying questions about hours and cost. The judge said the YSO works 40 hours weekly, is on call for juvenile matters and frequently must travel on short notice to accompany juveniles to detention or hospitals. The judge proposed raising the YSO salary to an interim 1.5 full-time-equivalent (FTE) salary level (she also presented a 1.7 option) and using the unspent probation line to avoid adding net new county expense. \"This is not asking for additional money,\" the judge said. \"It\roes not change the general fund total; it's a line-item move to avoid being reported to Nashville.\"

A commissioner moved to approve the 1.5 FTE adjustment and the plan to reallocate funds; the motion was seconded. Commissioners asked about timekeeping and suggested options (a time clock or additional recordkeeping) to ensure auditability for the YSO's on-call time. The judge said the YSO already logs calls and maintains a private calendar of case work that commissioners may review if needed.

No precise vote tally was announced on the record in the transcript segment provided. The judge left commissioners with budget figures showing the estimated salary increases and said the grant revenues partially offset the change.

The judge asked the commission to act promptly because the Oct. 1 compliance deadline is approaching and because the YSO will need replacement planning before retirement.

Clarifying details discussed at the meeting included: the YSO has 30 hours per year of continuing training, the Nashville grant is about $9,500 paid twice yearly, the proposed FTE increase to 1.5 would raise the YSO salary by roughly $9,085 relative to current county pay, and moving to a part-time clerical position would avoid county insurance costs of about $17,000 annually if the probation line were converted from full-time to part-time. The judge emphasized that no new county funds were requested beyond internal reallocation and potential insurance savings.

The judge framed the request as a compliance measure with a clear state reporting deadline; commissioners asked for additional paperwork and figures to formalize the budget amendment.

Next steps noted in the discussion included drafting a budget amendment for formal approval and considering modest process changes (timekeeping) to make after-the-fact audits straightforward. The judge said she would provide the commission with the more detailed line-item numbers and the proposed amendment for an upcoming meeting.","A Polk County judge told commissioners a new state data-collection law requires trained staff to enter juvenile-court data and asked the commission to move existing funds to raise a youth service officer\u0000(YSO) salary and hire a part-time clerk to keep the county in compliance.",{"_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},6458112,"Residents press commission over Highway 411 South safety problems, ask for meeting with TDOT",4335,1095000,5430000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5&start=1095&end=5430","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","/articles/6458112/Polk-County/Tennessee/Residents-press-commission-over-Highway-411-South-safety-problems-ask-for-meeting-with-TDOT","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458112-e69e2d5948ed561aaadb3606b4df3d8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140285&Signature=OV0iM2L-uIiQmCos-MdFdcC3s3U9GpnbS2ffaoju~fRDXNBfgGZaucJn1I7NC9K1C84xkQgK-pwcSexNpyF5fNFRjDqaMs2E9hpHS5nd-es5Wu1lXqqaIfXF4CTSf3qEQXMQiGIGbSycTRcXeCp9n-2uzTbnPDeyHbk1U~woliWMYqcMW4KXoA828MZkD~FuDzkzpGOuPApIp6fx2KIFB9vLpSB31gSzyhtD6hN7-SGeHX~ob9tdZytI9gjTjrT7lOoVJ19Wuw24gsH66TefGg1JtpBtV-WCjINURzOOruR6myV9go40Yadk0ECKiuIHEQYS5Yn-1Qwhpnvq4B4MMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and a commissioner told the Polk County Commission on Tuesday that Highway 411 South has become increasingly hazardous and urged the commission to press the Tennessee Department of Transportation for repairs and tree clearing.

Speakers said dangerous blind spots, fallen trees and deteriorating road conditions have persisted for about two years. \"It's been going on for 2 years now,\" one commissioner said. Another speaker asked the commission to arrange a meeting with TDOT at a higher level, saying repeated calls and routine requests had produced no sustained progress.

Speakers described multiple crashed locations, vegetation encroaching on sightlines and the presence of many dead trees along the corridor. One commissioner said the county sends significant sales-tax revenue to Nashville and argued the community expects basic roadwork to keep school buses and other traffic safe.

Commissioners agreed to attempt to schedule either a meeting with TDOT officials or a joint session with the road committee and the full commission; one commissioner said he would contact TDOT and seek higher-level involvement if necessary. The transcript records multiple public appeals to address the road's condition but does not show a formal vote or specific funding allocation for repairs at this meeting.

Clarifying details included: residents and commissioners reported two years of ongoing issues on Highway 411 South, cited fallen and dead trees and blind spots as safety hazards, and said that local deputies have reported multiple accidents in the corridor. Commissioners proposed organizing a meeting with TDOT and local stakeholders to escalate the matter.","Commissioners heard repeated complaints that Highway 411 South has deteriorated, with blind spots and many dead trees creating hazards; speakers asked the commission to arrange a meeting with TDOT and other officials to press for repairs.",{"_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},6458117,"Commission approves two SRO positions using reimbursement grant; debate continues over metal detectors and school security",38,762000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5&start=762&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5/thumbnail_762000.jpg","/articles/6458117/Polk-County/Tennessee/Commission-approves-two-SRO-positions-using-reimbursement-grant-debate-continues-over-metal-detectors-and-school-security","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458117-dfb583cd363d09bfa3376de49e0cd6aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140285&Signature=kYp2tFpTfC4cmLRhQU4a2At-6As6lpTegKELyHotXsqlduJIKmCUr1VjtsahsKDeKJxLwGYwNc91YbV8XMKkx602HyVY8omQ~5Ih5lMlZzeRql9phnHkKltbQsgKTL~wiVxVsnwZ4xU3ku89fpO8M0ezXco-LBzP~zg6BJRdIwLIDTFJH1fn39NpZx5QNhtUdifCQyt2-qkeOVb2XLUiagMcTHSRBJaMr0Sx1~OO51FOdDpJLorG10PKe1zDoBEfBW4PUmN8g8yxRXSuJsDvslXHlpLpszIoaLYnmxxD9~8CtOJCQD8KPdsDnavubQSyi1Xw-jayHNCVvNgS4QK00g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County commissioners approved funding for two school-resource-officer (SRO) positions that will be reimbursed by a grant of up to $75,000, county staff told the commission on Tuesday.

A county official identified in the agenda as presenting the SRO item said the county must spend the funds to receive the full reimbursement; if the money is not spent the county must return it. \"We have to spend the money, and they reimburse us up to $75,000,\" the presenter said.

Commission discussion shifted to school security measures, including metal detectors. One commissioner asked whether grant or agency partners had considered metal detectors; a school official and others said the equipment is costly, operationally complex and creates staffing and logistical challenges. \"If you've got 50 kids coming in at the same time, one magnetometer and you've got 49 kids standing out in the weather,\" one speaker said, arguing detectors require staffing and multiple units to be practical. Another commissioner said detectors are \"more show than true prevention\" and emphasized preventing weapons from entering buildings as the key objective.

Presenters said one SRO would be assigned to Polk Innovative Learning Academy and the other to the alternative school. Commissioners approved the motion to authorize the two positions; a formal roll-call tally was not recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.

Clarifying details from the discussion: the grant reimburses up to $75,000; the two SROs are designated for Polk Innovative Learning Academy and the county alternative school; concerns were raised about ongoing operating costs and whether detectors are an effective preventive measure without substantial additional staffing.","Commissioners approved two school-resource-officer positions funded by a reimbursement grant (up to $75,000) and heard a debate about metal detectors and the limits of deterrence and operational costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458122,"Polk County wins $249,860 grant to equip high-school welding programs",340,4070000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5&start=4070&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823849-da26e32cf4fed84cef1bc475dfb8f8d5/thumbnail_4070000.jpg","/articles/6458122/Polk-County/Tennessee/Polk-County-wins-249860-grant-to-equip-high-school-welding-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458122-5568c61426304712ede25fbd5040124c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140285&Signature=niBXQsz2v-fw441RQM~z0N37gILYXiFA5R5fJcVmy3tdGw4SO~UQOWBQzg~ajFDo6Ag9B1cgre-Bh4B5VhMqAeSp2wBg~cN54FqPjSoPjLwWrEKFTcnKn-TOTTNxq6nlf5i2or9GKLw~~BU8GKmTZMMA3FhDEGe9fEJSFewZQCNLrfnJQ54bRYzIdZyoRw0whcDIfvV7eMVQU~cBVrwH49xHarZwdzzuZ~c-m7aDNbQDpr9axG3pzBdRjNx2cLrzyYKAwNzeDn9KpOyLVoiXDRcoEKpayoWZoCsjlvRlvhrNuwQyRVkEnnnfQacppkhR~kraBM-O14YcNhTuzn9-cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Polk County officials announced Tuesday that the county has been awarded a $249,860 grant to upgrade welding training equipment for local high-school students through a partnership with TCAT and school districts.

County staff and members of the county\u000economic development (ID) board told commissioners the award will purchase equipment including 14 Miller welders, 14 wire-feed units, exhaust booths, welding tables and related safety and cutting equipment. The funds will allow participating students to earn welding certificates by the time they graduate if they start the program as freshmen.

\"Not everybody is intended to go to college, but everybody needs to go to work,\" a county official said during the meeting, praising the grant as a way to prepare students for the workforce. Officials said the grant required no local match, TCAT committed to support and potentially help pay teacher costs, and community partners, including TVA and several elected officials, helped secure the award.

The county said 10 seats will be available at each participating school and that the program design allows students to gain certificates and credentials tied to local employment opportunities. Officials said they will meet in the coming weeks to work out program details, identify instructors and finalize equipment delivery and installation.

Commissioners congratulated staff and the ID board for the award. The county said it remains eligible for additional grant programs and will pursue further opportunities to fund workforce development.","County officials announced a nearly $250,000 grant to equip welding programs at local schools through a partnership with TCAT and local stakeholders; commissioners and education leaders praised the award.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Copper Basin Fire Department seeks meeting with county executive to clarify shelter staffing; commissioners direct interim appointment

Polk County judge asks commission to reallocate funds to meet new juvenile-data reporting law

Residents press commission over Highway 411 South safety problems, ask for meeting with TDOT

Commission approves two SRO positions using reimbursement grant; debate continues over metal detectors and school security

Polk County wins $249,860 grant to equip high-school welding programs