Sevier County approves indigent defense grant, tax-roll adjustments, contracts and adopts resolution declining cultural-facilities tax

The Sevier County Commission on July 14 approved a series of routine but substantive actions, including a 2025–26 Indigent Defense grant agreement, assessor value adjustments that increased the tax roll by roughly $243,231, multiple contracts, and Resolution 2025-7-1 declaring the County will not impose a botanical, cultural, recreational and zoological facilities tax.

Johanna Williams of the Indigent Defense office reviewed the grant agreement and said she was seeking reimbursement of about $6,000 for expert witness expenses from the last year; she also warned the County may need to increase next year’s indigent defense budget because child welfare caseloads continue to rise and may require additional court time for attorneys. Commissioners approved the grant agreement unanimously (motion by Commissioner Ralph Brown; second by Commissioner Greg Jensen).

Clerk/Auditor Steven C. Wall, reporting for the Assessor, said infrastructure upgrades in Monroe Hot Springs Estates II and changes in residency status on some parcels resulted in an increase to the tax roll of…