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Carter County commission cancels Dashiell Lodge purchase after inspection concerns
Summary
The Carter County Board of Commissioners voted 13-10 on July 15, 2024 to cancel its purchase contract for the Dashiell Lodge following an inspection that raised foundation and asbestos concerns; county historian and public commenters had urged using the lodge as a county archives.
Chairperson Ginger Holdren presided over the Carter County Board of Commissioners on July 15, 2024, when the body voted to cancel the county27s purchase contract for the Dashiell Lodge following debate over inspection findings.
The motion to cancel the contract—made by Commissioner Danny Deal and seconded by Commissioner Avery Wynn—passed 13 yes to 10 no. Commissioners previously voted 21-2 to cease discussion after a prolonged exchange.
County Historian Lisa Germaine, who addressed the commission during public comment, urged commissioners to pursue the Dashiell Lodge as a site for a county archives, saying "the State recommends no less than 5,000 sq ft. to start" and noting "The Masons building is 10,000," which she said would provide room to grow. Charles Von Cannon, a public commenter, said an archive would help attract institutions and told the commission, "An Archive is needed."
Opponents and some commissioners cited the inspection report27s findings—specifically concerns about the building27s foundation and asbestos—as reasons to withdraw from the purchase. Commissioner Todd Smith asked for time for the Records Committee to investigate repair costs. Commissioner Donnie Cable suggested attempting to renegotiate the contract or price so the selling party might address some repairs.
Before the final vote, Chairperson Holdren briefly recessed the meeting. Following the cancellation vote, the commission directed County Attorney Josh Hardin to prepare a letter explaining the cancellation to the seller per the motion's terms.
The debate highlighted a tension between archival needs and projected renovation costs: the transcript records both appeals to use a currently available, larger building and warnings that remediation and environmental-control upgrades would be required to meet archival standards. The records committee and county historian said archive funds sit in a reserve account restricted to that purpose; Lisa Germaine told the commission that grant opportunities previously missed require a building to make future grant applications viable.
Next steps recorded in the meeting are limited to Attorney Hardin drafting the cancellation letter and no new purchase or renovation authorization was approved at this session.
