Commissioners approve $4,000 recycling grant to Keep Athens Beautiful

Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a $4,000 recycling grant to Keep Athens Beautiful to support a countywide tire-and-electronics collection event.

The grant will help fund a one‑stop collection at the Judicial Building parking lot on June 14, where organizers expect to accept passenger vehicle tires and electronics; organizers intend to limit tires per household to keep the event fair.

Carol Morton, representing Keep Athens Beautiful, told the court the event historically collected between about 900 and 2,000 tires and as many as 2,500 electronics items at a past event when partnered with the Rotary Club. “We will limit it probably 10 to 20 tires per person,” Morton said, and added the event accepts passenger vehicle tires only.

Court members asked where the county funds would come from; discussion noted past funding arrangements varied, including sanitation budgets and contributions from road and bridge precincts. Commissioner Spivey moved to approve the $4,000 grant and Commissioner McCam seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

Morton said the event will run from 8 a.m. until capacity is reached and electronics collection will begin at 9 a.m. She said the sheriff’s office typically provides labor to load tires and that organizers will publicize the event via social media and local paper.

The court thanked Morton and noted prior Keep Athens Beautiful projects benefited the county, including an entrance improvement at the fairgrounds funded in part by a past grant.