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Commission accepts TDEC stormwater contract recommendations amid public complaints about 7 Oaks flooding
Summary
Mayor presented engineering-recommended bids for a TDEC stormwater grant; commissioners accepted the recommended base and alternate bids. Residents from 7 Oaks and nearby subdivisions described flooding and property damage, asking why their sites were not prioritized.
County Mayor Chris Cutshall told commissioners that bids for a TDEC stormwater grant have been received and that the county engineer recommended awarding the base and alternate contract to complete construction management. He said details and recommended constructors were included in the commission packet.
During committee discussion, Commissioner Green and other members asked whether surplus grant money could be reallocated to neighborhoods not on the initial list if work comes in under budget; Cutshall said leftover funds could be moved later.
Public comment followed. Leo Shaloop said flooding in the 7 Oaks subdivision has damaged four homes, that a newly installed culvert still leaves standing water and debris, and that the problem had persisted for years despite repeated requests. He told commissioners he had taken photographs and that conflicting jurisdictional answers left homeowners uncertain who must maintain the culvert. "These homes have been damaged, and this is willful negligence," he said. The mayor and staff responded that the bid packet included named neighborhoods (Deerwood Shadows, Meadows, Brady Drive) and that work would proceed based on that packet; they noted project priorities are moving forward and that grant timelines and eligibility limit immediate changes.
A local contractor explained the grant is a one-time grant requiring installation and usability by Sept. 2026; he said communities could reapply if leftover funds become available and emphasized the installation deadline.
The committee moved to accept the recommended bid package; the motion carried. Officials said they would track grant expenditures and return reports on remaining funds so commissioners could identify opportunities to fund additional neighborhoods if money remains.
Next steps: Construction contracts will be awarded per the engineer's recommendation; staff will provide expenditure reports and monitor leftover funds for potential reallocation.
