Hamblen County finance committee approves TDEC landfill assurance, buys Anderson property and approves several budget amendments
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Summary
The county approved an annual TDEC financial‑assurance inflation adjustment totaling $819,000 (to be shared with Morristown), voted to purchase 508 West 2nd North Street under a contract with LaBelle & Associates, and approved budget amendments for an Energy Efficient Schools Initiative loan and a three‑year cybersecurity renewal.
At its finance committee meeting in Morristown, Hamblen County commissioners approved a set of administrative actions including an annual inflation adjustment for landfill closure financial assurance required by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), a negotiated purchase of a downtown property and several budget amendments.
Mayor (reading the county presentation) described the TDEC requirement as an annual inflationary adjustment tied to estimated landfill closure costs for the joint Morristown–Hamblen County landfill. "This year's adjustment is $819,000," the mayor said, adding that the cost will be divided between the city and county. Commissioners moved and approved a motion to stand behind the TDEC contract adjustment by voice vote.
The commission also considered a negotiated purchase of the Anderson Law Firm property at 508 West 2nd North Street. The mayor said the county is under contract with LaBelle & Associates to purchase the property and recommended the acquisition to provide needed space for county operations. Public commenters asked for appraisals and clearer documentation about why the county would buy the property and whether the building would be remodeled or removed.
After discussion the body approved the purchase and a related budget amendment to move $250,310 into the general administration projects fund to cover the $233,000 purchase price plus commission and recording fees. The meeting record shows at least one commissioner registering opposition during the voice vote.
The board also approved a budget amendment to set up revenue and expenditure accounts for an Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI) loan — the Board of Education representative said EESI funds are reimbursed by the state after local expenditures are made — and a separate amendment moving about $13,021 to cover a three‑year renewal of the county's cybersecurity backup solution.
All items were approved by voice votes; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
