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At a glance: grants and sheriff's office budget items approved by Blount County commission
Summary
During the July 17, 2025 meeting the commission approved several budget and grant requests for the Blount County Sheriff's Office and other items. All four votes recorded in the meeting were carried unanimously or by recorded tallies.
The Blount County Board of County Commissioners on July 17 approved multiple budget and grant requests for the sheriff's office and related items. Votes recorded in the meeting minutes and transcript: 16‑0 approvals for two grant applications and two budget resolutions; details follow.
The commission approved a Blount County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) Fiscal Year 2026 school resource officer (SRO) grant application for $1,575,000. The application sought funding for 21 SRO positions at $75,000 each; no local matching funds were required. The budget committee recommended the application 5‑0. Commissioner Michaels moved to approve; Commissioner Giles seconded. The commission recorded 16 yes votes and the motion carried.
The commission also approved a BCSO FY26 litter grant application for $74,000 with no matching funds required. Commissioner Michaels moved the litter grant application with a second from Commissioner Carver; the commission recorded 16 yes votes and the motion carried.
Separately, the commission adopted Resolution 25‑7‑001, a budget increase of $230,000 for the Blount County Sheriff's Office. The funds were described as one‑time general county funds to purchase canines, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), drones, and battery backup equipment for the jail. Commissioner Michaels moved adoption; the motion carried with 16 yes votes.
The commission also adopted Resolution 25‑7‑002, a budget adjustment of $72,453 for BCSO to recognize total expenses incurred for a real‑time crime center position approved in this year's budget. The increase was to be offset by reimbursements from the city of Maryville, the city of Alcoa and 911 operations. Commissioner Michaels moved adoption; Commissioner Carver seconded; the motion carried with 16 yes votes.
The transcript records the grant and resolution motions as having been referred to the full commission with favorable budget committee recommendations (5‑0) before the full votes. The items will proceed under the county's normal contracting and grant‑acceptance processes.
Votes at a glance (items recorded in the July 17 meeting): - BCSO FY26 SRO grant application — $1,575,000 (21 SROs at $75,000 each). Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Giles. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: approved. - BCSO FY26 litter grant application — $74,000. Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Carver. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: approved. - Resolution 25‑7‑001 — budget increase $230,000 for canines, AEDs, drones, jail battery backup. Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner McMahan. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: adopted. - Resolution 25‑7‑002 — budget adjustment $72,453 for real‑time crime position (offset by reimbursements from Maryville, Alcoa and 911 ops). Motion by Commissioner Michaels; second by Commissioner Carver. Vote: 16 yes; outcome: adopted.
No commissioner recorded a dissenting vote on these items in the transcript. The record indicates the budget committee recommended each to the full commission with favorable votes. These approvals do not in themselves obligate funds until grants are accepted and contracts executed under county procedures.
