Sweetwater commissioners approve floodplain, zoning and budget amendments; annexation for industrial parcel cleared

The mayor of Sweetwater convened the board and the commission moved through routine business before approving a set of ordinances and a budget amendment that staff said were needed to meet state and federal timelines and to fund economic development work.

Recorder Sonya read the distributions report and detailed several payments, including a $75,419.20 payment to Trustmark National Bank for a fire-truck note and $66,527 to Great Southern Recreation for surfacing equipment funded by a Colonial Pipeline grant. "On page 1, there's a check for $500 to Bradley's Pit Barbecue and Grill," Sonya said while summarizing accounts payable. The board then moved and approved the distributions for September.

The board opened a public hearing on three ordinances but heard no public comments. The first ordinance (No. 1057), an amendment to Title 14 on floodplain zoning required by FEMA, drew the most discussion. Staff and commissioners emphasized the federal deadline: "once you guys pass it on second reading, then I forward that on ... then it becomes effective for them to use on November 28," a staff member said. One commissioner warned of consequences if the city declined to adopt the maps, calling the choice "a gun to the head" and noting that failure to adopt would prevent participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and could force some residents to lose coverage.

The commission approved Ordinance 1057 on second and final reading (majority in favor, one recorded 'no'). The board also approved Ordinance 1058, which adds a special exception to building-height limits in the M-1 (General Industrial) zone, and Ordinance 1059, a zoning-map amendment to rezone McMinn County Parcel 036 to M-1. All three passed on second and final reading as recorded.

The board then considered an annexation/resolution to annex Parcel 36 (McMinn County, Map 011) for an industrial development site. Staff noted a prior public hearing on Oct. 6 and that the developer and current property owner were prepared to proceed. The commission voted to approve the annexation.

In new business, staff member Jessica presented Budget Ordinance 1060, a budget amendment to add $47,202.54 to fund hiring a retail recruiting firm under the professional-services line for economic development; the amendment also included expense lines for a pending cybersecurity grant and an increase to liability insurance premiums. "We're doing this based on what we voted on in the last called meeting... I put it under $47,202.54," Jessica said. The commission adopted the budget amendment by roll call vote.

The meeting closed with community announcements — including the Veterans Day Parade and Sweetwater High School events — and the board adjourned.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 1057 (Title 14 floodplain zoning) — Passed (second and final reading); roll call: majority aye, 1 nay recorded. - Ordinance 1058 (M-1 building-height special exception) — Passed (second and final reading); unanimous aye recorded. - Ordinance 1059 (Zoning map amendment, Parcel 036) — Passed (second and final reading); unanimous aye recorded. - Annexation of Parcel 36 (McMinn County, Map 011) — Passed; unanimous aye recorded. - Ordinance 1060 (Budget amendment, $47,202.54 for retail recruiting firm plus other adjustments) — Passed; unanimous aye recorded.

Next steps: staff will forward the adopted floodplain amendment to state/FEMA processing so the revised maps become effective on the date staff identified; implementation steps for the annexation and zoning changes will proceed per city procedures.