Budget committee advances slate of school and county budget adjustments, all by unanimous voice votes

The Blount County budget committee on Jan. 4 advanced a package of 13 budget resolutions affecting schools and county operations, including capital projects, grant adjustments and small transfers.

The committee moved each item to the next stage by unanimous voice vote. The measures included a $2,625,300 appropriation to replace the roof at Heritage Middle School; a $464,300 appropriation to cover mandated occupational and physical therapy services after reduced external funding; a $71,472 feasibility study for county-owned land adjacent to Wallen Elementary School; and multiple smaller grants and transfers.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 20511-1 — $2,625,300: education capital funds to replace the roof at Heritage Middle School. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-2 — $644,152: re-appropriation of prior-year general county funds for ongoing capital needs. Moved: Ms. Hannum. Second: Commissioner Kaler. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 25-11-003 — $464,300: appropriate general purpose school funds to meet mandated occupational and physical therapy services after decreased state/federal funding. Moved: Commissioner Kahler. Second: Commissioner Anderson. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-4 — $336,976.78: Tennessee State Special Education Grant for preschool special education services. Moved: Ms. Hannum. Second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-5 — $71,500: full-depth parking lot replacement at William Blunt High School. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-6 — $71,472: feasibility study of county-owned property across from Wallen Elementary School. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bratt. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-7 — $31,000: adjust EMA grant funding for the State Homeland Security Program. Moved: Commissioner Kaler. Second: Ms. Hannam. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-8 — $29,000: purchase of an all-wheel-drive vehicle for family resource center employees (education capital). Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bright. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-9 — $21,000: transfer of general purpose school funds to Blount County for interim CFO services. Moved: Commissioner Bridal. Second: Commissioner Kaler. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-110 — $17,471.99: appropriate insurance recovery funds for a sheriff’s office vehicle involved in an accident. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bright. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-113 — $14,953.50: Tennessee Corrections Institute equipment grant for sheriff’s training equipment. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Kahler. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 25-11-14 — $9,800: chain-link fence around Porter Elementary pre-K playground. Moved: Commissioner Anderson. Second: Commissioner Bridal. Outcome: advanced (5-0). - Resolution 20511-15 — -$836,565.87: decrease to align with the state budget for the Innovative School Model grant. Moved: Commissioner Wright. Second: Ms. Hannam. Outcome: advanced (5-0).

Context and next steps

Most items were routine budget adjustments or grant appropriations and drew little substantive debate. Items that prompted questions included the $464,300 appropriation for mandated therapy services (see separate article) and the $71,472 feasibility study for a potential new Wallen Elementary site (see separate article). Each resolution was forwarded by unanimous voice vote and will proceed as required by county procedures.

Meeting records show motions, seconders and unanimous voice tallies for each item; the committee adjourned after advancing all listed items.