Rules committee clarifies agenda‑item deadline and sponsor responsibilities; adds holiday fallback

The Blount County Commission Rules Committee on Feb. 25 forwarded clarified language for deadlines and sponsor responsibilities for resolutions, including a one‑week prior deadline and a rule for holidays and late submissions.

Committee members said the proposed language would make the sponsor responsible for reducing a resolution to writing and submitting it to the clerk or deputy clerk by email or paper copy no later than one calendar week before the meeting (for example, for a Tuesday meeting the deadline is the close of business the Tuesday one week prior). The nut graf: the change places preparation responsibility with the sponsor and provides a clear, holiday‑aware deadline to improve packet preparation.

The draft also adds a holiday fallback: if the deadline falls on a legal holiday, the deadline becomes the preceding working day. If the chairman, by written notice, or the membership by a two‑thirds affirmative vote allows a late introduction, the sponsor must submit a written statement explaining the legitimate reason the deadline was missed and request inclusion. Committee members discussed alignment with state statutory timing and agreed the one‑week standard is consistent with five working days but asked staff to clarify holidays when calculating deadlines.

Commissioner Giles moved to forward the clarification with a favorable recommendation, and Commissioner French seconded. The clerk recorded four yes votes and the committee voted to forward the clarified deadline language.