Franklin County committee tables mayor’s nuisance-law resolutions after resident opposition

Chairman David Eldridge opened the Franklin County Legislative Committee meeting on April 6, 2023. Mayor Chris Guess introduced two draft resolutions that would let the county exercise certain municipal powers under T.C.A. §6-2-201(22) and (23) to regulate nuisances and would adopt health and safety standards for residential and non-residential properties.

Mayor Chris Guess said the proposals would require the county to hire an enforcement officer, create an appeals board of five to seven people to oversee complaints and fines, and include a 60-day grace period after adoption. "An enforcement officer would need to be hired," the mayor said, and he added that a public notice would need to run in the local newspaper before the rules took effect.

Committee members raised concerns about wording and suggested changes to the draft language. Several members supported presenting the proposals to the public framed as measures to improve safety and health, rather than as punitive regulations. Mayor Guess asked members to send suggested edits before the next committee meeting in June so staff could compile revisions.

During public comment, a resident of Midway opposed the measures, saying he "feels their rights are being taken away" if the nuisance laws are implemented. Following discussion, Committee member Grant Benere moved and Tyler Bauer seconded a motion to table the resolutions until the committee's next meeting; the motion carried.

Earlier in the meeting the committee approved routine business including the March 7, 2023 minutes, the Franklin County Road List for 2023 and notary applications. The committee scheduled its next Legislative Committee meeting for June 6, 2023 and adjourned at 5:58 p.m.