Carter County commissioners approve housing grant application, multiple budget moves and land gifts

The Carter County Board of Commissioners on April 19 voted to authorize the county mayor to apply for Tennessee Housing Development Agency funds for housing rehabilitation and approved multiple budget amendments and donations across county funds.

The commission adopted Resolution No. 792, authorizing a THDA grant application to facilitate housing rehabilitation for low-income residents. The motion, made by Commissioner Aaron Frazier and seconded by Mark Blevins, passed by voice roll call with 23 yes, 0 no and 1 absent.

A series of budget actions followed. Budget Chair Austin Jaynes said the county approved a 3% renewal addendum with Southern Health Partners for inmate medical services that raises the annualized base to $605,117.88; that renewal passed as recorded in the minutes. The commission also approved several fund amendments, including a School Federal Projects Fund amendment totaling $6,767,442.58 and Head Start Fund amendment #4 totaling $284,928.51, all recorded by roll call.

The commission appropriated $35,000 from the General Unassigned Fund Balance to cover salary and benefits tied to a future Carter County finance director (line-item details were recorded in the motion). That appropriation passed 21 yes, 3 no after discussion about qualifications and buyout of unused vacation time.

CARES Act money was used to appropriate $30,000 to the Carter County Rescue Squad to cover COVID-19-related expenses; the vote was recorded as 23 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain. The commission also approved a $15,000 appropriation to Second Harvest Food Bank for the Backpack program (20 yes, 4 no) by reallocating $5,000 previously listed for the Carter County Honor Guard and using $10,000 from general reserves.

On property matters, the commission accepted a conditional gift of Fish Springs Park contingent on a new survey and a naming restriction in memory of Kathleen and Ralph Smith; that motion passed 15 yes, 8 no. Commissioners also accepted a gift of the Old Tweetsie Railroad Route from Valley Forge / Hampton Area after discussion of liability and potential grants, passing 21 yes, 2 no.

Appointments recorded during the meeting included Lisa Germaine as County Historian and multiple reappointments and new appointments to the Equalization Board and Planning Commission. A motion to empower the mayor to negotiate on behalf of the commission with a joint economic development board for establishing an economic development director failed (10 yes, 13 no).

“Materials will increase so this needs to get done,” Budget Chair Austin Jaynes said during discussion of a courthouse door appropriation later withdrawn and returned to the Buildings & Grounds committee for additional cost detail.

The meeting closed after committee reports and other routine business. The board adjourned at 9:37 p.m.

Votes and formal actions are recorded in the official minutes and were summarized from meeting roll-call records.