Rutherford County's Budget, Finance and Investment Committee voted Jan. 8 to accept an amended FEMA buyout for a flood-damaged property at 5943 Adams Drive, authorizing purchase and demolition and converting the lot to permanent open space.

Mike (Rutherford County Engineering) told the committee the project was originally part of a four-house buyout submitted in 2020 but, after delays and changes, only one house remained in the program. "All told, it will be $284,728," he said, noting the federal share is 75%, the state 12.5% and the county 12.5%. The presentation listed the purchase price at $158,450 — described as the tax value at the time of the earlier flood damage application.

Under FEMA buyout rules explained by county staff, the county will take ownership of the lot permanently and is not permitted to sell it; the county's highway or public-works department will maintain the site and mow it several times a year. Mike said the property can be used for a park, open space, a ball field or a pavilion open on four sides, but not for new housing.

Committee discussion noted this item had been considered previously: the money for the buyout had already been appropriated and was sitting in a line item, and the committee's vote completed a procedural step. The committee approved the buyout by roll call.

The county engineer said the buyout application had been delayed by earlier FEMA disaster declarations, and that this approval likely represents the last such FEMA buyout under current funding unless a new funding source (for example, a local stormwater fee) is adopted. The next step is administrative processing to complete the purchase and demolition.