Blount County commission advances $559,000 school-field appropriation, forwards board appointments and a ceremonial ‘safe-passage’ resolution

The Blount County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 11 voted to move several items to the full commission, including a $559,000 education capital appropriation to replace the baseball and softball field lots at Heritage High School.

Clerk read Resolution 2512001 "appropriate education capital funds to replace the baseball and softball field lots at Heritage High School." Commissioner Giles moved the item and Commissioner Martin seconded; after no discussion the clerk reported, "Mister chairman, you have 16 yes votes," and the chair said the resolution would be moved forward to the full commission.

The appropriation was presented with a favorable recommendation from the budget committee. The motion and recorded vote sent the funding request to the full commission for final action.

Separately, the commission advanced several appointments. The clerk called a six-year reappointment of Gary Hensley, described in the agenda text as "former city manager, city of Maryville," to the Industrial Development Board and the Health and Education Facilities Board; Commissioner Carver moved and Commissioner Davis seconded and the clerk recorded 16 yes votes.

A vacancy to replace Joe Dawson on the Industrial Development Board was read with three recommended candidates: Joel Overton (director of support services and radiation effects, ProNova Solutions), Tracy Queen (general manager, ICC International) and David Shanks (president, Shanks and Associates). Commissioner Hannah moved to proceed with the recommendation and Commissioner Giles seconded; the clerk recorded 16 yes votes and the recommendation was forwarded to the full commission.

Nominees for the Public Service Appellate Board — Steve Garner, Denver Hunt, Susan Mills, Stanley Best and Arthur King — were also advanced after a motion from Commissioner Carver and a second from Commissioner Caldwell. The clerk and several commissioners noted a brief technical problem with the meeting platform while recording votes; after troubleshooting the clerk recorded 16 yes votes and the appointments were forwarded.

The commission also forwarded nominees for the Solid Waste Authority — Britney Whipple, Carl Walker, Sam Correll and Brian Baldwin — following a motion from Commissioner Martin and a second from Commissioner Davis; the clerk again reported 16 yes votes.

In a separate, ceremonial action, the clerk read Resolution 2512012 "to allow safe passage in Blount County, Tennessee, for a certain visitor from the North Pole," introduced in memory of the late Commissioner Richard Williams Junior. Commissioner Giles moved and Commissioner McMahon seconded; the clerk recorded 16 yes votes and the resolution was moved to the full commission.

Announcements at the meeting included a Bridal Center Advisory Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Blount County Bridal Center and an Election Commission meeting set for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. in the Elections Office at the Blount County Courthouse. The Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session Thursday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. in Commission Meeting Room 430; commissioners were reminded the board’s Christmas party will precede that meeting at 4:45 p.m.

The meeting opened with roll call and an emergency-evacuation procedure. The clerk and presiding officer recorded "15 members present, 6 absent" early in the meeting; multiple later votes were recorded by the clerk as 16 yes votes. The minutes and consent calendars were moved forward to the full commission during the session and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Next step: all forwarded items will appear on the full commission docket for final consideration.