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Carter County commission approves package of budget amendments, rescinds Resolution 688
Summary
The Carter County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved a slate of budget amendments and procurement decisions — including a nearly $3.0 million capital projects appropriation and a $1.22 million TDEC landfill financial assurance — and voted to rescind a prior 'balanced budget' resolution after staff advice; most votes were unanimous.
The Carter County Board of Commissioners approved a broad package of budget amendments, contracts and procurement recommendations on May 20, 2024, including a nearly $3.0 million capital projects appropriation and a $1.22 million financial-assurance adjustment tied to the county’s Class IV demolition landfill.
Commissioners voted to rescind Resolution 688, a prior measure concerning a "balanced budget" and reserve capital improvements fund, after a recommendation from Finance Director Carolyn Watson that the resolution’s wording was overly broad. The motion to rescind, moved by Commissioner Robert Acuff and seconded by Julie Guinn, passed 18–2; Commissioners Angie Odom and Aaron Frazier voted no, and Frazier had asked whether the resolution could instead be amended.
Why it matters: the votes restructure budget language and clear the way for a series of fund transfers and capital appropriations the commission approved that evening. The package included General Fund Budget Amendment 101‑11 (items 1–27) totaling $1,767,136.58, with $540,447.08 coming from the Reserve Fund; a Capital Projects Fund amendment (171‑1) of $2,995,671.92; and a TDEC Financial Assurance contract adjustment for the Class IV Demolition Landfill in the amount of $1,224,250.00. Commissioners recorded unanimous or near‑unanimous electronic votes on most items.
The meeting’s votes at a glance: • Rescind Resolution 688 — motion by Robert Acuff, second Julie Guinn; outcome: carried 18–2 (No: Angie Odom, Aaron Frazier). • General Fund Amendment 101‑11 — $1,767,136.58 (includes $540,447.08 from Reserve) — carried (20 yes). • Capital Projects Fund Amendment 171‑1 — $2,995,671.92 — carried (21 yes). • TDEC Financial Assurance (Class IV Demolition Landfill) — $1,224,250.00 — carried (21 yes). • Multiple other fund amendments including Highway (131‑6, $105,440), Special Revenue (127‑1, $1,477,267.95), General Purpose School Fund (141‑8, $1,960,942.04 with $413,500 from Unassigned Fund Balance), and several school, food service and Head Start adjustments — all carried (see meeting minutes for full list).
Other financial actions approved by the commission included accepting monetary donations of $58,449.11 and non‑monetary donations of $1,320 to the animal shelter, approving a list of surplus items for disposal from Circuit Court, and authorizing amendment and procurement items tied to the Carter County Health Department renovation.
Committee and procurement decisions approved under Financial Management included a recommended selection for the Tweetsie Trail Expansion Project master plan (Ross/Fowler and Thompson‑Litton), use of ARP funds (not to exceed $24,000) to buy five workstations and software for the Trustee’s Office, and an agreement for inmate health services with Fast Access Correctional Healthcare Tennessee, LLC. The commission also approved TDOT bridge‑replacement contracts covering 20 bridges.
What’s next: Finance staff and affected departments will implement the approved amendments and procurements; specific project timelines and implementation steps were not provided in detail during the meeting and were recorded as "not specified" in the budget minutes referenced by staff.
At the meeting, Finance Director Carolyn Watson repeatedly directed commissioners to the written budget minutes for line‑item detail and offered to answer follow‑up questions by phone or email. The commission adjourned at 8:10 p.m.