Commission forwards multiple budget items and delays appointments until September

The Blount County workshop on July 9 advanced a package of budget items to the full commission and postponed multiple board appointments until after the new term begins.

Among budget items the clerk read and the workshop forwarded were: a $27,800 library fund appropriation for plumbing repairs in the learning lab (Resolution 267006); a $4,027.21 health department budget increase to accept a state DGA grant (Resolution 267007); $465,375 in federal opioid funds to appropriate for a substance-use residential treatment facility (Resolution 267004); $263,332 budget adjustment for county maintenance tied to the Blount County Library (Resolution 267005); and a $1,575,000 school security officer grant application proposing 21 SROs at $75,000 each (BCSO grant). Committee votes and clerk tallies were recorded where applicable and several items carried unanimous committee recommendations.

Commissioners also approved moving three separate appointment items (Industrial Development Board reappointment of Matt Murray and alternate candidates among them) to after Sept. 1, by a vote of 11 yes and 5 no, at the request of commissioners who said the incoming mayor and several new commissioners should weigh in on six-year appointments.

Other routine items on the calendar — including smaller grants and appropriations — were similarly forwarded to the full commission with committee recommendations. The meeting recessed for 10 minutes and returned to complete the remaining items. Announcements listed upcoming committee and meeting dates for July and August.