Rhea County Commission advances tax-roll changes and multiple grants; considers Daktronics lease for high-school video display

Rhea County commissioners reviewed and moved forward on a package of financial items covering tax-roll adjustments, state grants for public safety and capital projects, and a proposed lease for a Daktronics live video display.

The assessor presented a list of deletions, changes and pickups to the 2023 tax roll, reporting total additions of $774,622.96 to the roll (SEG 320-325). The chair asked for a motion to accept the changes, and members moved and seconded the item for consideration.

The board considered several grant agreements. A small grant of $4,900 (with a guaranteed match of $1,470) described in the transcript as related to a ‘Safe Harbor’ (presentation language in transcript is inconsistent) was presented for acceptance to support project materials. A state Department of Safety and Homeland Security grant of $600,000 was presented to the Rhea County Sheriff's Department to maintain school resource officers for the 2025–26 school year, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026 (SEG 351-357). The board also considered a Department of Environment and Conservation grant of $1,568,399 to Rhea County for improvements at Abel Sports Complex, including lights, fencing, bleachers, concrete pads, a concession building, parking lot and capital purchases ($568,378.55) and in-time expenses ($935,020.45) (SEG 366-375).

Separately, the commission discussed amending the agenda to consider an agreement between Rhea County and La-Z-Boy related to audiovisual services at Rhea County High School and a lease (No. 2000036669, dated 08/11/2025) with Huntington National Bank for a Daktronics live video display. The lease principal was described as approximately $539,563.96, with four annual lease payments of $134,890.99 and insurance requirements including general public liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 (SEG 482-496).

The board also moved to approve a $30,000 non-matching grant from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to the Rhea County Sheriff's Department for DUI enforcement for fiscal year 2026, and a $159,000 non-matching grant for a child-safety service for fiscal year 2026 (SEG 407-427). Motions to accept these grants were made and seconded during the meeting.

Where the transcript lacked detailed roll-call tallies for some items, motions were moved and seconded and the board proceeded to consider the items as presented. Several commissioners answered 'Yes' on roll calls for individual items recorded in the transcript.

Next steps noted in the meeting: officials will finalize grant contract documents, finalize lease paperwork and ensure required insurance and liability coverage for the proposed audiovisual equipment lease before execution.