The Polk County Commission voted on multiple routine and policy resolutions during its May 22 meeting in Benton, approving changes to beer sales hours, authorizing surplus property sales, and hiring outside counsel to resolve potential title issues tied to a planned Ducktown courthouse.

The most prominent vote amended county rules on beer sales and extended hours for licensed beer sales to 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following morning, Monday through Sunday. Commission members read the resolution (citing Tennessee Code Annotated §57-5-301) and moved to adopt the change. The resolution text states the change takes effect on adoption and when the county executive signs; county staff later said it would become effective after signature and noted a 10-day administrative timing detail.

Commissioners also approved multiple surplus-property resolutions. One resolution declared several county vehicles—listed in the meeting materials as a 2020 Dodge Charger, a 2014 Dodge Durango and a 2012 Ford Escape—surplus and authorized sale consistent with Tennessee Code Annotated provisions for disposition of county property. Separately, the commission approved listing a 1988 fire engine (500-gallon tank) from Copper Basin Fire Rescue for auction on the state
pproved gov-deals platform.

The commission voted to employ the law firm Logan Thompson, P.C., to investigate and, if necessary, litigate potential title defects affecting the countyowned lots for the old and proposed new Ducktown courthouse, and to prepare any contracts or request-for-proposal materials needed to move the courthouse project forward.

Other building-and-grounds items passed with little discussion, including permission for the local fair association to place a movable storage building (subject to size and relocation conditions) on designated county property if the group secures funding and site approvals from relevant committees.

Commissioners recorded roll calls or motions for these items during the meeting; meeting materials and the read resolutions provide the legal citations and conditions for each action.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution to extend beer sales hours (Tennessee Code Annotated §57-5-301): Motion and second recorded; commission read and adopted the resolution; effective on adoption and county executive signature (administrative timing noted).
- Resolution declaring vehicles surplus (multiple resolutions): Motion and second recorded; commission authorized sale under TCA chapter on disposition of county property.
- Resolution to list a 1988 fire engine as surplus and allow Copper Basin Fire Rescue to auction it on gov-deals: Approved.
- Resolution employing Logan Thompson, P.C., to resolve potential title issues for Ducktown courthouse land and to prepare RFP/contract documents: Approved.
- Building/grounds permission for Fair Association to place a movable structure (with relocation terms): Approved.

The meeting packet included the text of each resolution and citations to the Tennessee Code where applicable.