Carter County approves $3 million HEAL loan and broad Helene flood spending package

The Carter County Board of Commissioners approved a $3,000,000 emergency loan from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (HEAL program) and a large package of Helene-related spending on Feb. 18, 2025.

Commissioner Julie Guinn moved to approve participation in the HEAL loan program; the motion, seconded by Todd Smith, passed on an electronic tally reported in the record (19 yes, 3 no). The loan augments previously authorized funds to cover additional expenses tied to debris removal and road repairs after Tropical Storm Helene.

The commission also approved multiple specific expenditures and budget amendments connected to the disaster response. Among the largest items were a $2,461,581.15 payment request from HEAL funds to T.F.R. Enterprises for December debris removal and a $1,358,098.55 payment to Carter County Solid Waste and Recycling for debris taken in at no charge. The board authorized a $400,000 appropriation from HEAL proceeds to begin planning an expansion of the county landfill and approved purchase orders to repair Poga Road and other damaged corridors (noted vendors included Landworx Construction and Hinkle Environmental Services).

Finance Director Carolyn Watson told commissioners that supporting documentation was in the packet and she would answer follow-up questions by phone or email.

The commission approved a $300,000 purchase order to Schaus LLC for ongoing consulting services and a $103,064.04 check request to cover Schaus billing from Dec. 21, 2024, through Jan. 17, 2025 after the prior PO was exhausted. Other vendor approvals included Starlink subscriptions for field connectivity, LED road-sign rentals, materials (stone, asphalt, pipe) for highway repairs, and additional debris-monitoring services (a $300,000 PO to Thompson Consulting Services was approved with one dissenting vote).

The motions were presented by the Budget Committee and voted on individually; the meeting record shows roll-call tallies for each motion. Several commissioners voiced no recorded objection to the overall package but the minutes also record individual 'no' votes on particular items (for example, Nick Holder and others voted no on some vendor payments). The board also approved budget amendment 101-7 (totaling $417,620.85) that reallocated reserve funds for specific Helene response needs.

Next steps noted in the meeting record include processing the approved check requests and POs, coordinating with TEMA and FEMA on reimbursement and compliance, and scheduling follow-up procurement and project work as outlined in the packet.

Votes at a glance: the HEAL loan motion passed (19–3); payment requests and purchase orders tied to the Helene response passed by recorded roll-call votes (see meeting packet for itemized tallies).