Polk County commissioners debated adopting the County Powers Act language that would allow the county to pass resolutions regulating certain activities in unincorporated areas, including noise and business operations such as cryptocurrency mining.

Commissioner Smith introduced the item and county staff and counsel explained the statutes mechanics: the County Powers Act, drawn from Title 6 of the Tennessee Code, would give counties explicit authority to adopt resolutions that apply in unincorporated areas and to enforce those resolutions through local authority or, when necessary, court action. Staff noted a two-thirds vote is required to adopt the act and to use its powers for particular matters.

Discussion focused on whether adopting the act would let Polk County regulate specific complaints commissioners have received, including noise, excessive power use, and other nuisances tied to potential crypto-mining operations. County counsel and staff said adoption would not itself create new rules; it would provide a mechanism to adopt resolutions addressing specific issues in the future. Several commissioners asked who would enforce such resolutions; staff replied that the county would enforce resolutions in unincorporated areas and that law enforcement or county code officers could be tasked with enforcement, and the county could seek court remedies where appropriate.

Commissioners raised concerns about the breadth of the acts language and the need to avoid stepping into zoning authority. Staff emphasized that zoning is separate and that the County Powers Act is a different statutory tool. After questions and discussion, the commission decided to table the item for further review and to provide more detail on enforcement mechanisms and the kinds of regulations the county might adopt under the act.

Ending: The commission did not adopt the County Powers Act at the May 22 meeting and tabled the item for additional information and follow-up.