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Blount County Commission approves grants, budget transfers and sets zoning hearing
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Board of Blount County Commissioners approved two highway-safety grants for the sheriff's office, multiple school and capital budget transfers, and scheduled a June 11 zoning public hearing for the regional comprehensive plan.
The Board of Blount County Commissioners on April 16, 2026, approved a slate of grants and budget changes, including a $120,000 Tennessee Highway Safety Office grant to support patrol overtime and a $24,000 grant for a network coordinator for the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.
The commission also adopted several budget adjustments for schools and county capital projects: resolution 2604002 transferred $144,082.92 for an innovative school model grant; resolution 2604005 transferred $68,000 to align a public school security grant; and resolution 2604003 approved a $100,000 capital appropriation to replace stair treads and landings in the courthouse. Separately, the commission approved resolution 2604004, a $73,284.85 highway capital increase to cover added rock-removal costs when relocating a sewer line for Wildwood Bridge.
Why it matters: the approved grants fund law-enforcement overtime and coordination related to highway safety; the school transfers align grant-funded programs; and the courthouse and highway appropriations cover anticipated capital and construction costs. The commission also directed the Budget Committee to prepare a budget based on the certified tax rate by adopting resolution 2604019.
Votes at a glance - Agenda set (addition of resolution 2604019): Mover Commissioner Bright, second Commissioner Giles; adopted (21 yes). - General consent calendar: Mover Commissioner Martin, second Commissioner Giles; adopted (21 yes). - Budget consent calendar: Mover Commissioner McMahon, second Commissioner French; adopted (21 yes). - Reappointments to Board of Equalization (Scott Blevins; Bruce Rectenwald; Amanda Stone; Steve Johnson; Daryl Tipton): Mover Commissioner French, second Commissioner Carver; approved (20 yes, 1 abstention). - BCSO grant — $120,000 (overtime): Mover Commissioner Giles, second Commissioner Ackerd; approved (21 yes). - BCSO grant — $24,000 (network coordinator): Mover Commissioner Ackerd, second Commissioner Carver; approved (21 yes). - Resolution 2604002 — $144,082.92 (school budget transfer): Mover Commissioner Ackerd, second Commissioner Carver; adopted (21 yes). - Resolution 2604003 — $100,000 (courthouse stairwell repairs): Mover Commissioner Carver, second Commissioner Webb; adopted (20 yes, 1 no). - Resolution 2604004 — $73,284.85 (Wildwood Bridge sewer relocation): Mover Commissioner Joplin, second Commissioner Carver; adopted (20 yes, 1 no). - Resolution 2604005 — $68,000 (school security transfer): Mover Commissioner Giles, second Commissioner French; adopted (21 yes). - Public hearing set for regional comprehensive plan: Mover Commissioner Ackerd, second Commissioner Hannah; set for June 11, 2026, at 5:45 p.m. (21 yes). - Resolution 2604019 — request Budget Committee prepare budget based on certified tax rate: Mover Commissioner Bright, second Commissioner Ackerd; adopted (21 yes).
The commission also presented proclamations honoring graduating seniors from multiple county high schools who scored 30 or above on the ACT; dozens of students were named and applauded.
Public comment at the meeting focused on calls for investigation into local judicial and law-enforcement practices (see separate coverage). The commission adjourned with no formal action taken in response to those public complaints. The Budget Committee and other standing committees listed meeting dates and deadlines for May and June.
