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Carter County elects Joshua Hardin as county attorney; commissioners hear communications update and set audit follow-up meeting
Summary
The commission unanimously elected Attorney Joshua (Josh) Hardin as county attorney, heard a communications project update from Mark Ridings, authorized the Sheriff’s Office to apply for a $300,000 DOJ grant, and directed follow-up on audit findings at a special meeting April 18.
The Carter County Board of Commissioners on April 15 elected Attorney Joshua (Josh) Hardin as county attorney and heard several administrative updates, including a communications project briefing and a vote authorizing the Sheriff’s Office to seek a federal grant.
Nancy Brown moved, and Julie Guinn seconded, the motion to elect Joshua Hardin as county attorney; the motion passed by voice vote with twenty-three yes votes. Later in the meeting, County Attorney Josh Hardin summarized his report, saying a title search for the Masonic Building revealed deed issues and that staff are working with outside counsel to resolve the situation.
During public comments Elizabethton Mayor Kurt Alexander thanked the Sheriff’s Department and praised inmate crews for “the tremendous job the inmates have done” on the city golf course, and Mayor Patty Woodby described recent city–county collaborations on bike trails and the Laurels waterline project.
Mark Ridings provided an update on the county’s communications project, distributing a packet outlining system equipment and answering commissioners’ questions.
In committee action, Lisa Childress moved and Nancy Brown seconded to permit the Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept a U.S. Department of Justice grant of $300,000 that requires no county match; the motion carried by voice vote with twenty-three yes votes.
Commissioners closed the meeting with comments on recent audit findings. Brad Johnson invited colleagues to a Special Called Financial Management meeting on April 18 for a detailed review; Donnie Cable, speaking as a former auditor, urged commissioners to take the findings seriously. Danny Deal said, “some of the statements that were made by the comptroller’s office have been proven not true, a formal apology should be given.” The minutes record the comment but no formal apology or corrective action during the session.
The commission adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
