Blount County budget committee forwards 19 budget resolutions, approves $15.5 million interfund loan to bridge ARPA reimbursements

The Blount County Budget Committee voted to forward 19 budget resolutions to the full county commission workshop, including an interfund loan of $15,529,489 from the debt service fund to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund to bridge timing differences while the county awaits reimbursements from the state.

The interfund loan (Resolution 25-08-001) was described by staff as a maximum liability request to cover cash outlays across several projects while reimbursements are processed. Brian, a county staff member, said some utility projects are about 70% complete and the county expects a “good chunk” of reimbursements in the next 60 to 90 days, while other projects, including at the health department, may not be reimbursed until later in the year. “But we will not wait until the end of the year to start moving this cash back,” Brian said.

Why it matters: The loan lets the county pay for capital work now and restore the debt service fund as state reimbursements arrive. Most resolutions forwarded spending or appropriating prior-year or grant funds for capital projects in county departments and Blount County Schools.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25-08-001 — Interfund loan, debt service to ARPA, $15,529,489. Motion to forward to commission workshop. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-002 — Budget increase, various departments, $11,683,214.83. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-003 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools (one‑time teacher bonus pay), $1,818,407.60. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-004 — Budget increase, central services; appropriate general funds and authorize a 5‑year contract with Sports Facilities Company LLC to manage Eagleton Ballparks, $1,000,073.67. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-005 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, HVAC controls at two middle schools and William Blount Ninth Grade Academy, $709,078. Motion to forward. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 no. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-006 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, purchase of 1,937 Chromebooks for grades 1, 5 and 9, $600,000. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-007 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, set aside for unplanned HVAC replacements for FY25-26, $550,000. Motion to forward. Vote: 4 yeses, 1 no. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-008 — Budget increase, highway capital, purchase of a new paver, $544,490.91. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-009 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, replace gym floors at Fairview and Friendsville elementaries, $437,992. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-010 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, replace fire alarm systems and ECCA, $419,979.63. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-012 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, architect fees for multiple planned projects, $300,000. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-013 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, contingency funds for multiple planned projects for FY25-26, $125,000 (reduced per school board request). Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-014 — Budget decrease, Blount County Schools, reallocate $200,000 to purchase culinary equipment for the William Blount High School CTE/culinary building. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-015 — Budget increase, Blount County Schools, purchase of a fuel truck for school maintenance, $45,264. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-016 — Budget increase, Elections, one‑time general county funds for voting machine maintenance, $35,000. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-017 — Budget increase, Health Department, accept and appropriate FY26 state DGA grant for personnel and operations, $9,065.02 (reimbursed by the state). Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-018 — Budget increase, Highway Department, purchase of a tractor‑mounted blower, $7,785.72. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-019 — Library contract approval (3‑year ATOZ database subscription), $3,276 per year (three‑year option). Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded) - Resolution 25-08-020 — Emergency Management, apply for FY26 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant. Motion to forward. Vote: 5 yeses. (Forwarded)

Committee next steps: Each forwarded resolution will appear on the commission workshop agenda for final consideration and any further motioning or adoption by the full county commission.