Commission advances private acts: road commission abolition and county attorney retainer cleared by committee

The Hamblen County Finance Committee on June 15 voted to advance two private‑act amendments to the full commission: one abolishing the local road commission and another formalizing election timing and an annual retainer for the county attorney.

Mayor Cutshaw told the committee that both items had already passed the state legislature and were returning for local ratification. On the private act to abolish the road commission (Private Chapter 57, House Bill 2640 / Senate Bill 2705), he said, "Six members of the current road commission voted to abolish this commission and moving forward. It was not the legislative body's decision to do so. We're acting on the request of the road commission itself." The finance committee approved forwarding the amendment to the full commission.

The committee also approved an amendment affecting the county attorney (Private Chapter 58, House Bill 6242 / Senate Bill 2703). The act sets the county attorney's annual retainer at $1,200 and allows for additional compensation and expense reimbursement. Mayor Cutshaw described the retainer as "just a token"—"$100 a month basically to attend our meetings"—and said the attorney would be paid for other work separately. Some commissioners said the retainer adds cost at a time of budget strain and indicated they may oppose the change at the full commission vote next week.

Both private acts now move to the full Hamblen County Commission; the mayor and staff reminded the committee that the full commission must meet required vote thresholds (including a two‑thirds requirement for final ratification of some private acts) before they take effect.