Committee votes to forward private act to abolish Hamblen County Road Commission to CTAS

The Hamblen County Finance Committee voted Oct. 14 to forward a private act that would abolish the Hamblen County Road Commission at the end of the current term, Aug. 31, 2028.

The request came to the commission after a 6'1 vote by the Road Commission on Apr. 8, 2025. The mayor told the committee the request will be submitted to the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) and the county's CTAS legal consultant to draft the enabling legal language. The mayor said the intent is to abolish the road commission itself but not to eliminate the county road department.

Commission discussion focused on the fact that commissioners on the road commission are elected officials whose terms run through Aug. 31, 2028; staff said the commission would remain intact until that date and that road commissioners are paid only if they attend meetings. Committee members also discussed a reported $1,900 monthly payment figure and a related matter involving payments taken during COVID. County staff said some former commissioners are on payment plans to repay amounts taken for meetings they did not attend; there is no single written agreement in county records to which the committee had immediate access, staff said.

A motion to forward the private act was made by Debbie Ahern and seconded by Thomas Doty. The committee took a roll call vote; committee members recorded unanimous affirmative votes in committee and the motion passed.

Provenance: First related transcript excerpt: "According to the memo that I supplied in accordance with a formal request from the Hammond County Road Commission, the Hammond County legislative body is now asked to acknowledge and approve abolishing the Hammond County Road Commission effective end of current term, 08/31/2028." (tc 00:33:58). Last related transcript excerpt: "Motion passes." (committee roll call; tc 00:42:31).