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Greene County Commission approves ambulance remount funding, zoning changes and courthouse restroom procurement
Summary
At its Jan. 20 meeting the Greene County Commission approved a package of budget amendments and policy changes, including up to $450,000 to remount two ambulances, a zoning map change and an amendment to road‑frontage rules; it also authorized bidding for courthouse restroom additions.
The Greene County Legislative Body met Jan. 20, 2026, in Greeneville and approved multiple resolutions that will affect county services, capital projects and local land‑use rules.
Most consequential financially was the commission’s vote to appropriate up to $450,000 to the Emergency Medical Services Department to remount two existing ambulances. The commission approved the EMS request after Committee recommendation, with Commissioner Crawford moving the resolution and Commissioner Anderson seconding. Mayor Kevin C. Morrison announced the vote, which passed 19–0 with Commissioners Cobble and White absent. The record notes the county determined remounting would be less expensive than buying two new vehicles and that lead times for remounted chassis may be lengthy (up to 690 days).
The body also adopted several budget amendments to move small revenue receipts and grant funds into operating accounts: $1,970 from recycled‑material sales to the Sheriff’s Special Patrols; $14,685 to the jail from a Training Equipment Grant; and $19,000 from sheriff/K‑9 restricted accounts for forensic and records systems (Cadmus JMS and Cellebrite). Each of those measures passed on unanimous recorded roll calls (19 ayes; two absences recorded as Cobble and White).
On land‑use and planning matters, the commission approved two zoning items. Resolution A rezoned a 0.464‑acre portion of 2065 Dyer Hollow Road from A‑1 (General Agriculture) to B‑3 (Arterial Business) as recommended by the regional planning commission. Separately, after debate the body amended Article V, Section 501.5 of the county zoning resolution to allow one building permit for parcels that have access only by right‑of‑way or easement when the parcel was subdivided prior to July 1, 2006 and the owner provides attorney or surveyor documentation; that amendment passed 15–4.
The zoning‑frontage change prompted requests for delay from Commissioner Peters, who said a constituent feared the change could affect a pending property dispute. County Attorney Roger Woolsey responded that the county cannot compel utilities to serve landlocked parcels and explained the amendment affects building‑permit eligibility, not utility obligations.
The commission authorized the County Mayor to seek competitive bids and take preliminary steps (including bond work subject to final approval) to add ADA‑compliant restroom facilities to the Greene County Courthouse after a report from the Courthouse Renovation Committee. The resolution passed 19–0 with two absences; the committee had reported core‑drilling results and said work to repair the courthouse portico is funded by a $500,000 state grant.
Other business approved in consent or by separate motion included declaring identified sheriff’s vehicles surplus for sale under T.C.A. §5‑14‑108, approving a Good Neighbor Agreement framework with the U.S. Forest Service (Cherokee National Forest) tied to Explore Act funding, and routine acceptance of reports (veterans office, emergency chaplains, Board of Education finance, Solid Waste).
Votes at a glance • Resolution A (rezoning, Sisk property): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution B (budget recycled‑material proceeds $1,970 to Sheriff’s Special Patrols): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution C (jail training equipment grant $14,685): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution D (use $19,000 from sheriff/K‑9 restricted accounts for Cadmus/Cellebrite): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution E (EMS ambulance remounts, up to $450,000): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution F (declare sheriff vehicles surplus): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution G (amend zoning road‑frontage rule, Article V §501.5): Approved; 15 yes, 4 no, 2 absent. • Resolution H (authorize courthouse restroom procurement): Approved; 19 yes, 0 no, 2 absent. • Resolution I (request state share one‑half of real‑estate transfer tax): Approved; 17 yes, 2 no, 2 absent. • Resolution J (authorize Good Neighbor Agreement with USDA Forest Service): Approved; 18 yes, 0 no, 3 absent.
Why it matters The EMS appropriation and courthouse project are tangible, near‑term capital decisions that change county service capacity and budget priorities. The zoning amendment alters local rules that affect how landlocked or easement‑access parcels can obtain building permits, a measure that county leaders said responds to frequent requests at the inspection office. The Good Neighbor Agreement opens a path for county coordination with federal forest managers using Explore Act funds to repair recreation access damaged by Hurricane Helene.
What’s next The county will proceed with procurement for courthouse restrooms and initiate remount work for ambulances as described in the EMS request. The clerk will forward the commission’s Resolution I to the Greene County delegation and state leaders, per the resolution’s direction. The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for Feb. 17, 2026.
