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Property assessor says she cannot continue as flood-plain administrator; board tables 5-year zoning moratorium
Summary
Cocke County commissioners on Jan. 30 tabled a proposed five-year moratorium on zoning in flood-affected areas and heard Property Assessor Macie Reed say she cannot continue as Flood Plain Administrator because of workload pressures; the board suggested a workshop and will revisit the proposal next month.
Sheriff C.J. Ball called the Cocke County Legislative Body to order Jan. 30 in the Circuit Courtroom. During new business, commissioners considered a proposal to suspend local zoning regulations in flood-affected areas for not less than five years so landowners could repair or replace homes without local zoning constraints; the proposal would retain state septic and electrical requirements and would grandfather restoration work.
Dan Bright moved to table the moratorium until the board's next regular meeting; Gayla Blazer seconded and the motion carried. The measure was not discussed to final action and now returns to the agenda at a future meeting.
Also in the same agenda item Property Assessor Macie Reed addressed the board. Reed apologized for emotional remarks at the prior meeting and updated commissioners on steps the assessor's office is taking to keep Cocke County compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Reed told the board she does not feel she can continue to serve as Flood Plain Administrator because of the heavy workload on her office. Commissioners discussed the staffing and oversight options; Commissioner Rick Vassar suggested the board hold a workshop to consider alternatives and next steps.
The County Attorney reported earlier in the meeting that his review indicates the board does not have authority to compel the assessor to accept the Flood Plain Administrator position. Mayor Rob Mathis also briefed the board on flood-recovery efforts and said state funds appear likely to cover the majority of repairs for the Conway Bridge under the FEMA Public Assistance project.
Next steps: the moratorium item was tabled to next month's meeting and the board agreed to consider a workshop to address the Flood Plain Administrator vacancy and related compliance responsibilities. The board entered an executive session with the County Attorney later in the meeting and adjourned thereafter.
