Cocke County Commission approves two rezonings, applies for CDBG to buy fire engine and adopts cash‑rounding policy

COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. — The Cocke County Commission on its regular meeting approved two zoning map amendments, authorized a federal grant application for a new fire engine and adopted a cash‑rounding policy for cash transactions while also approving a contract to add phone and Wi‑Fi service at county convenience centers.

The commission approved a change to the zoning map for 157–159 Highway 25 E in Newport, moving the parcel from C‑1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to C‑2 (General Commercial). Jason McMahon moved the measure and Bill Miller seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. A nearby property owner who identified himself in the hearing said the parcel "has been used for commercial purposes for 7 or 8 years" and asked for the rezoning so certain commercial activities allowed in C‑2 could occur.

Commissioners also voted to amend zoning at 122 Quail Roost Drive in Cosby from C‑1 to R‑1 (Residential). That item had been approved earlier by the planning commission and passed the commission by voice vote.

On funding, the commission authorized submission of a 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to purchase an additional fire engine. County staff said the department received one engine this past year and is applying again to maintain and improve emergency response capacity.

The panel adopted a countywide customer‑rounding policy for cash transactions, a model recommended by the state comptroller because pennies are no longer produced. The policy applies only to cash and sets rounding rules to the nearest five cents; it does not affect debit or credit card transactions.

Commissioners approved a three‑year contract with Host My Call to provide phones and Wi‑Fi service at the county's convenience centers. County staff and the mayor explained the work is already included in the communications budget and said wireless service is necessary because AT&T no longer installs new ground lines to those remote sites. As the mayor put it, "AT&T themselves told us that they're no longer…laying ground line anymore," so Wi‑Fi is the most cost‑effective option.

County Mayor highlighted a recent Trailblazer Award received jointly with city partners and summarized the fiscal year 2024–25 state comptroller audit. The mayor said one late payment listed in the audit resulted from having to close and reissue checks after "someone trying to get unauthorized access to the checking account," and he thanked finance staff for following comptroller recommendations.

The mayor also read a response from Chandler Henry, landfill director, describing safety measures at convenience centers, including cameras and protocols around new compactors; officials said the telecommunications work to provide Wi‑Fi and phone service at landfill and convenience sites was under $10,000 and budgeted.

Other routine business included acceptance of quarterly school expenditures reports, approval of several tax refunds, appointments to the county agriculture committee and a report from the county's economic development partner on the Smoky Mountain Innovation Park and related infrastructure investments.

The commission adjourned after hearing no miscellaneous items. Several items passed by voice or voice/roll call vote with no recorded dissent in the meeting record.

Votes at a glance: rezoning 157–159 Highway 25 E — approved; rezoning 122 Quail Roost Drive — approved; 2026 CDBG application for a fire engine — authorized; customer rounding policy — adopted; Host My Call three‑year contract for convenience centers — approved.