Rhea County Commission approves budget amendments, equipment purchases, grants and appointments
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Summary
The commission approved a package of budget amendments and capital purchases including $412,646.76 for paving equipment, accepted multiple grants and appointed representatives to local boards, while also hearing a public comment on a community Thanksgiving program.
Rhea County commissioners on Feb. 17 approved a series of budget amendments, grant agreements, equipment purchases and appointments during a regularly scheduled meeting.
Key approvals included a county general amendment package covering jail software, insurance allocations and community grants; a $412,646.76 allocation to highway paving equipment; and a maintenance contract for courthouse chiller and boiler services priced at $2,025.49 for 2026. Commissioners also accepted a $42,200 contract from the Tennessee Department of Transportation and approved a $96,252 non‑matching grant for firefighting equipment and training.
The county's budget representative read a long list of amendments by fund and amount and the commission approved the committee recommendations by roll-call votes. On the paving equipment package the representative said the funds would purchase a roller, paver, trailer and related equipment for the highway department; commissioners moved, seconded and voted to allocate the funds.
Appointments and oversight changes approved by the commission included naming Jeff McDaniel to the Rhea County 9‑1‑1 emergency communications board to fill an unexpired term through Aug. 2027 and appointing Leo Stevens to the county audit committee to fill an unexpired seat.
Public comment: Amy McCrory, a community member who spoke during the county official report, described how the group used approximately $10,000 in opioid‑related funding to support a long‑running community Thanksgiving program. "This year, we served 1,100 meals," McCrory said, adding that roughly 150 volunteers helped prepare and deliver nearly all meals across the county.
Why it matters: the approvals move forward capital equipment purchases for county roads and emergency preparedness, authorize grant-funded purchases of public-safety equipment, and commit settlement and grant dollars to specific projects and providers; appointments fill vacant oversight seats.
Next steps: the resolutions authorize the county executive or mayor to sign contracts and grant documents; several items were read into the minutes per communications from the Comptroller's Office and other agencies.