Votes at a glance: Hawkins County Commission actions, Jan. 27, 2025

The Hawkins County Board of Commissioners handled multiple routine and substantive items during its Jan. 27 session. Below are the actions taken, the mover/second when recorded, and the recorded outcome.

1) Resolution requesting that half of the state real-estate transfer tax be shared with counties (introduced by Commissioner Palmer). Motion passed: 14 yes. The resolution asks the Tennessee General Assembly to allocate one-half of the transfer tax collected in the county to the county where it was collected; the sponsor said funds were proposed to be directed toward transportation.

2) Approval of a copier lease for the Veterans Service Office (introduced by Commissioner Barker). Motion passed: 14 yes. The county authorized a 48-month lease through Great American Financial Services to replace/upgrade multifuction copier equipment and reduce monthly cost.

3) Standard mileage reimbursement increase (introduced by Commissioner Roach). Motion passed: 14 yes. The commission approved increasing the county mileage reimbursement to $0.70 per mile effective Feb. 1, 2025, to align with state rates.

4) Multiple budget amendments (general fund, school funds, highway fund and other routine finance items) were approved across the meeting (various sponsors). Notable votes recorded include a general fund amendment (13 yes, 1 abstain) and school fund amendments (votes recorded as listed in minutes). See the county clerk for line-item details.

5) Solid Waste fund construction appropriation (introduced by Commissioner Palmer; amended in committee). Motion passed as amended: final tally 12 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain. The amendment reduced the proposed appropriation from $250,000 to $225,000; the commission directed staff to advertise segmented bids once funds were in place.

6) Voucher resolution opposing the Governor's Education Freedom Act (introduced by Commissioner Gillum). Motion passed: 13 yes, 1 no.

7) Planning Commission appointment slate (mayor's nomination including Timothy Linderfeld for District 2). Motion failed: 5 yes, 8 no, 1 abstain. The District 2 seat remains vacant until the mayor submits another nominee.

These actions were taken during the regular session; several additional routine reports (financial reports, clerk and master reports, appointments to utility districts, and school quarterly reports) were read into the record.

For full motion language, recorded votes where available, and ordinance/resolution numbers, consult the official minutes and the county clerk's office recorded packet for Jan. 27, 2025.