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Hawkins County Commission approves electronic‑participation policy, budget amendments and opioid‑fund allocations
Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Hawkins County Commission adopted an electronic‑participation policy, confirmed multiple budget amendments and leases, appointed Gary Marshall to a regional utility board, and approved allocations of 2024 state opioid abatement funds; one donation was pulled.
The Hawkins County Commission on Nov. 24 adopted a policy allowing electronic participation in meetings, approved a series of budget amendments and leases, and allocated 2024 state opioid abatement funds for local recovery programs.
The commission corrected a statutory citation in the electronic‑participation resolution (changing the reference to Tennessee Code Annotated 5‑5‑106(b)), voted to choose “option one” under Section 1(a) of Resolution 2025/11/01, and approved the resolution as amended. The amendment was moved by Commissioner Jason Roach and seconded by Commissioner Josh Gilliam; the final roll‑call vote on the amended resolution was 12 in favor, 1 opposed (Commissioner Bobby Jinks), and 1 absent (Commissioner Danny Alvis).
Commissioners appointed Gary Marshall to the Russellville‑Whitesburg Utility District board for a five‑year term (Nov. 20, 2025–Nov. 19, 2030). The Oct. 27, 2025 minutes were approved by roll call (motion by Chad Britton; second by Josh Gilliam).
On spending, the commission approved using 2024 state opioid abatement funds for two local recovery efforts. Resolution 2025/11/05 approved an allocation to the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center’s general operating fund (motion by Josh Gilliam; second by Robbie Palmer; vote 12–1–0–1, with Commissioner John Gibson voting no and Commissioner Danny Alvis absent). Resolution 2025/11/06 approved an allocation to the Hawkins County Recovery Court Foundation; commissioners amended the resolution to add the phrase “pending approval from the SMART Initiative representative” before approving it (motion by Josh Gilliam; second by Robbie Palmer; amendment second by Larry Clonce). That resolution passed by roll call 13–0 with one absence recorded. The minutes note Commissioner Josh Gilliam left the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
Other actions included approval of a 36‑month lease extension for office space used by the University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University Agricultural Extension Office and 4‑H program in Rogersville (Dec. 1, 2025–Nov. 20, 2028), adoption of multiple budget amendments (General Fund, Solid Waste, Highway Capital Projects, General Purpose School Fund, School Transportation Fund and Education Capital Projects Fund), and routine items such as surplusing equipment and vehicles and approving notaries public. Most roll‑call votes on these items were unanimous among those present; several budget items recorded single abstentions as noted in the minutes.
A proposed one‑time donation of $15,000 from the general fund undesignated balance to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (Resolution 2025/11/02) was pulled by Commissioner Josh Gilliam and did not receive a vote.
The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn carried by roll call. The minutes and public comment records were filed with the Hawkins County Clerk’s Office.
