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Rhea County adopts flood-prevention policy, approves lease and LED-lighting contract with accounting caveat
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Summary
The commission adopted a comprehensive county flood damage prevention resolution to maintain National Flood Insurance Program eligibility, approved a lease amendment for the Avalon Center and accepted a school lighting contract with Volunteer Energy Cooperative — the comptroller noted the lighting deal must be recorded as county debt.
Rhea County commissioners on Dec. 16 adopted a comprehensive flood damage prevention resolution, authorized an amendment to the lease for Avalon Center office space, and approved revised contract terms for LED stadium lighting at Rhea County High School.
The flood damage prevention resolution (Resolution #25-12-96) sets countywide standards for development in flood-prone areas, requires permits for development in mapped floodplains, establishes variance procedures, and directs the county’s building official to enforce elevation and floodproofing requirements. County staff said the measure is intended to preserve eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program and to bring local rules in line with federal guidance.
Commissioners also approved an amendment to a lease with Avalon Center to relocate its office to 375 Church Street, Suite #112, and read the amended lease into the minutes. The county approved an agreement with Studio 323 Architecture to prepare a sealed commercial design and permit set for county convenience centers.
On school infrastructure, the commission approved revised contract terms between the Rhea County Board of Education and Volunteer Energy Cooperative for LED lighting at the high school football field. The contract totals $376,500, with the cooperative offering an interest-free repayment method through monthly utility billing. The meeting record includes a staff note that the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has advised the county this arrangement must appear on county financial statements as debt rather than a simple operating charge.
Why it matters: floodplain rules affect permitting for private and public projects in mapped flood zones and could require elevation or design changes for future development. The lighting agreement will improve stadium lighting but carries an accounting impact that Finance Director Ralph Beck said the county will reflect on its financial statements as required by the state comptroller.