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Cocke County body approves budget committee recommendations, lease renewals and contract termination
Summary
The Cocke County Legislative Body approved budget committee recommendations on March 16, including transfers and amendments, renewal of a Cape Otter lease, termination of a public‑adjuster contract, and a decision not to renew a lease on proposed jail property. Votes were recorded by roll call or voice.
The Cocke County Legislative Body on March 16 approved multiple budget committee recommendations covering transfers and contract decisions, including a lease renewal and a recommended contract termination.
Mayor Mathis presented the budget committee’s package and asked the body to approve attachments, transfers and amendments. The body approved the committee’s recommendations after a motion and roll call; the tally was announced during proceedings.
The body approved renewal of the lease for the property identified in the record as the Cape Otter property — the committee recommended a three‑year renewal at $10,000 per year with a subsequent one‑year term at $15,000 — with the county attorney having approved the form. The chair called for questions; none were recorded and the motion passed by roll call (announced tally: "passed/10 and 4, sir").
Separately, the committee recommended terminating the county’s contract with a public adjuster hired after Hurricane Helene because the ongoing percentage fee arrangement was judged no longer economical; the body approved that recommendation by roll call. The committee also recommended not renewing a lease on land south of the industrial park — identified in the record as the site under consideration for a new jail — to avoid third‑party investment prior to any county decision; that recommendation passed by voice vote.
The body also authorized submission of a 2026 Appalachian Regional Commission grant application to fund CERV system improvements to increase water capacity; the application requires no local matching funds and the utilities would cover any necessary matching costs. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the resolution to apply.
What happens next: county staff will proceed with the lease paperwork as authorized by the county attorney, move forward with termination procedures for the public adjuster contract, and submit the ARC grant application for CERV improvements.
