Bradley County Commission approves juvenile center HVAC contract, fiber services and joins opioid settlement; elects new chair and vice chair

The Bradley County Commission met in the Commission Room at the Bradley County Courthouse and approved several administrative contracts and resolutions, elected leadership, and heard committee updates.

The commission voted to award a contract for replacement of a large HVAC unit at the county juvenile center to Thomas Heating and Air Conditioning for $26,693, approved a five‑year master services agreement with Cleveland Utilities Authority for fiber‑optic services for Bradley County Parks and Recreation totaling $200,007.97, and voted to join the state of Tennessee and other local governments in amending the Tennessee state subdivision opioid abatement agreement and approving related settlement agreements. Commissioners also elected Tim Mason as vice chair and completed an organizational election for chair.

Why it matters: the HVAC contract affects facilities used to hold juveniles; the fiber agreement funds internet connectivity for county parks and recreation; and joining the opioid abatement settlement commits Bradley County to the statewide framework for distributing opioid settlement proceeds or participating in amended settlement terms.

HVAC contract for juvenile center Mayor Adam Davis told commissioners the juvenile center identified three top priorities in this year’s budget: sewer improvements, replacement of handrails on an upper parking lot stairway (already completed), and replacing a large rooftop HVAC unit at the front of the building. Davis said the county solicited bids and “the lowest and best bid” was from Thomas Heating and Air Conditioning for $26,693. He asked commissioners to approve the award so installation could proceed before winter.

Commissioner Howard Thompson moved the approval; a second was recorded. The roll call produced an 11‑yea, 0‑nay vote, with two commissioners absent. The commission recorded the motion as approved.

Fiber services master agreement Commissioner Cindy Slater presented a resolution authorizing the mayor to negotiate and enter into a five‑year master services agreement with Cleveland Utilities Authority for fiber‑optic Internet services for Bradley County Parks and Recreation in the total amount of $200,007.97. Slater moved the resolution; a second was recorded. The measure passed on a roll call vote of 12 in favor, none opposed, with two absent.

Opioid abatement settlement participation Commissioner Hughes (first name not specified in the record) moved a resolution authorizing Bradley County to join the state of Tennessee and other local governments in amending the Tennessee state subdivision opioid abatement agreement and approving related settlement agreements. The commission recorded the motion as approved on a roll call vote of 12 in favor, none opposed, with two absent. The meeting packet references the settlement documentation on pages 8 and 10.

Organizational votes and other routine business The commission opened nominations and elected its chair by acclamation and elected Tim Mason as vice chair. The body approved the minutes and a consent agenda by recorded roll calls. The consent agenda and minutes were approved 12–0 with two absent.

Committee updates and announcements The road committee reported it heard requests from residents on Maori Road seeking closure of a portion of that road; the committee will receive more input at a scheduled meeting on Oct. 16, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Commission Room. The road department reported it has restriped 73 miles on 80 roads using APR money and has approximately $108,000 remaining to continue striping.

Mayor Davis also announced a city‑county fire tax committee meeting set for Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Commission Room.

Votes at a glance - Juvenile center HVAC contract (Thomas Heating and Air Conditioning): approved; low bid reported at $26,693; vote recorded 11 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent. - Master services agreement with Cleveland Utilities Authority (fiber for Parks and Recreation): approved; contract amount $200,007.97; vote recorded 12 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent. - Resolution joining state opioid abatement agreement and approving related settlement agreements: approved; vote recorded 12 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent. - Minutes and consent agenda: approved; vote recorded 12 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent.

The commission did not take final action on the Maori Road closure request; the road committee will continue to collect input before returning the matter to the full commission. The meeting record shows no additional public comment related to the votes listed above.