At its Jan. 15, 2026 meeting, the Blount County Board of County Commissioners approved multiple routine appointments and resolutions and set a public hearing on a rezoning request.

The commission accepted the recommended ranking of candidates for two six-year seats on the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority board (candidates read into the record included Steven Duker, Hamilton Martinez, Joel Overton and Brian Cable), approved mayoral appointments to the budget committee (Jared Anderson, Nick Bright, Mike Kaler and Sharon Hannam) with recorded tallies of 14 yes and three abstentions, and reappointed members to the jail inspection committee (Keith Brock; Sharon Hannam; Dr. Bob Ramsey).

On resolutions, the commission adopted Resolution 2601013 forwarding revisions to the proposed comprehensive plan (17-0) and Resolution 2601014 to provide liability insurance for fifth judicial district drug and violent crimes task force vehicles (17-0).

The commission also set a zoning public hearing to consider changing a portion of property at 5220 and 5226 US Highway 411 South from R1 (Rural District 1) to RAC (Rural Arterial Commercial). The parcel description read into the record identified a 4.615-acre portion of a 7.263-acre tract (tax map parcels 009 and 009.01); the hearing was scheduled for Feb. 12 at 5:45 p.m.

Other announcements included county office closures for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and schedule notices for upcoming committee meetings. During the public-comment period not related to the agenda, Jasmine Satterfield of District 7 asked the commission to consider supporting the Community Action Council's Office on Aging fundraising and resource-guide distribution for seniors.

Votes at a glance: Agenda set as published (17-0); general consent calendar adopted (17-0); Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority appointments approved (17-0); budget committee confirmations approved (14-0 with 3 abstentions); jail inspection committee reappointments approved (17-0); Resolution 2601013 adopted (17-0); Resolution 2601014 adopted (17-0); zoning public hearing set for Feb. 12, 5:45 p.m. (17-0).