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Commissioners approve school repairs, redirect annex funds and authorize license-plate readers from forfeiture funds
Summary
The Cherokee County Board approved multiple budget revisions: $14,548 for school HVAC/window repairs, redirected elevator funds to community center repairs and equipment and moved the balance into fund balance, and authorized $7,500 in federal forfeiture funds for license-plate readers; a $15,000 feasibility study for MHS property failed 2-3.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved several budget actions affecting county facilities and school repairs and rejected a separate funding request for a feasibility study.
Commissioner Ben Adams moved to approve a $14,548 budget revision using Article 40/42 sales tax to cover an HVAC coil replacement at Murphy High School and window repairs at Hiwassee Dam and Andrews High School; Commissioner Alan Bryant seconded and the motion passed unanimously. A separate motion to use $15,000 in the same sales-tax fund for a feasibility study at the Murphy High School highway property was defeated in a 2-3 vote, with Commissioners Cal Stiles, Dr. Dan Eichenbaum and Alan Bryant voting against.
The board also approved redirecting Annex elevator funds as follows: $6,500 for Unaka Community Center repairs, $15,300 to buy a commercial mower for the Maintenance Department, and moving the remaining $103,200 into the county Fund Balance. That motion passed unanimously.
Public safety and health funding actions included approval of the Sheriff's request to use $7,500 in federal forfeiture funds to purchase and install license-plate readers at three county-line locations (Highway 60/Georgia, Topton/Macon, and Wolf Creek/Tennessee). The Health Department fee schedules were approved as submitted.
Why it matters: The approved repairs use dedicated local sales-tax proceeds for school facility maintenance, while shifting capital funds and using federal forfeiture funds for law-enforcement equipment are decisions that affect county budgeting priorities and public-safety operations. The rejected feasibility study request indicates divided views on pursuing development or study of the MHS highway property.
What the minutes show and do not show: The minutes record motions, votes and dollar amounts for each approved revision and the failed feasibility study. The minutes do not include technical reports, feasibility study proposals, or procurement details for the license-plate readers beyond the locations named.
Next steps: Procurement and project implementation steps (e.g., vendor selection, installation timelines) are not detailed in the minutes and will follow through county staff and procurement processes.
