WC/JC Animal Control Board Meeting Agenda 11.10.26 (PDF)
The Animal Control Board was scheduled to meet Nov. 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Johnson City to receive updates on the spay-and-neuter clinic, hear a financial report, and get reports from staff, the foundation and the Humane Society, according to the agenda.
The Washington County Budget Committee was scheduled Nov. 10, 2026, to consider multiple FY27 budget amendments and spending authorizations, including re-budgeting Frontier Trail funds and capital projects for school buses, water-line installation, and courthouse audiovisual upgrades.
Discussion Points
•Final project cost for Johnson City-managed water-line projects was approximately $2.17 million vs. initial $3 million authorization.
•Multiple departmental budget amendments presented, including Frontier Trail re-budgeting and several grant budgetings.
•Request to use capital funds for TLC renovation and courthouse AV replacements; vendor quote provides technical scope for Courtroom 7 upgrade.
Directions
•Approved amendments were to be forwarded to the County Commission as resolutions.
•Approved at committee level to be forwarded to Commission as resolution
•Funding was re-budgeted into FY27 Capital Projects Fund; no further committee action required as expenditures had been previously authorized.
Washington County Health, Education & Welfare Committee is scheduled to meet November 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse first-floor conference room. The agenda includes a library report with Gray Branch opening and statistics, a County Attorney overview of environmental court and a request to approve citations for two properties, and an environmental cleanup report.
Discussion Points
•County Attorney request approval to issue citations for two properties in Jonesborough (addresses listed).
•October minutes show a motion to approve the request and record the vote, but the packet does not include citation text or penalty amounts.
•Report cites an estimated value of services ($3,621,693.34) using the county service-area population (66,256).
•Report documents Gray Branch expansion, staffing changes, continuing education total (316 hours) and comparative circulation/attendance figures.
The Washington County County Owned Property Committee is scheduled to meet November 5, 2026, to review past work on county-owned property, set goals for the coming year and consider new business; the agenda also explains how members of the public may provide comment in person.
Discussion Points
•Discussion to set committee goals for the coming year
Washington County Employee Comp & Benefits Committee is scheduled to consider selecting a vendor and approving a management contract for the county employee health clinic at its November 5, 2026 meeting. Staff provided a vendor evaluation comparing Premise Health, Ballad Health and Symbol Health, but the packet lists no costs.
Discussion Points
•Staff framed the trade-off as continuity (Premise) vs. local brand presence (Ballad) vs. cost containment (Symbol).
•Staff provided comparative evaluations of three vendors (Premise Health, Ballad Health, Symbol Health).
The Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Committee is scheduled to consider a staff recommendation for a moratorium on text amendments to the Washington County Zoning Resolution at its Nov. 5, 2026, meeting, and will also hear an appointment recommendation for the Brightridge board and an update on the Appalachian Producers Cooperative.
Discussion Points
•County Staff recommendation for a moratorium on text amendments to the Washington County Zoning Resolution until the Zoning Resolution update project is complete.
The Washington County Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet Nov. 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. to hear routine reports from public-safety agencies, consider a Sheriff's Office budget amendment for a FY 20262027 TCI grant and a list of surplus items, and discuss possible county policies on "White Flag" and "Red Flag" procedural operations requested under new business by the Salvation Army.
Discussion Points
•Agenda lists a Salvation Army New Business item described as "Discussion and possible action regarding county policies and support for White Flag and Red Flag procedural operations."
•Budget amendment for FY 2026-2027 TCI grant listed but no dollar amount provided in packet.
•Detailed November 2026 surplus inventory presented with vehicles, electronics, and appliances; some items marked "To Scrap."
•Packet contains no draft policy language, estimated costs, or staff recommendation for this item.
The Washington County Public Works Committee is scheduled to meet November 5, 2026, to assign term lengths for previously recommended BZA appointments and to consider two road-naming proposals: one behind the Slaughterhouse and one off Bailey Bridge.
The Health, Education & Welfare Committee is scheduled to consider a library report with branch reopening statistics and service-value estimates, a county attorney report requesting citations for two properties, and several administrative reports at its Nov. 5, 2026 meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse conference room.
Discussion Points
•Gray Branch expansion and opening dates and statistics
•Library reported estimated value of services and usage metrics
•Oct. 8 minutes show HEW Committee approved and moved the resolution to the full Commission
•Oct. 8 minutes show HEW Committee moved to approve and advance the item to the Commission
The Washington County Rules Committee is scheduled to consider proposed revisions to the Board of Commissioners' Rules of Procedure on Nov. 5, 2026, including changes to public-comment rules and committee election/agenda procedures. The meeting is set for 8:00 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse, First Floor Conference Room.
Discussion Points
•All committee recommendations and actions to be reduced to a written report for submission to the Board
•Allow electronic meeting sign-up through mayor’s office/communications director up to two hours before meeting
•County Attorney to prepare resolutions upon committee request
•If officers are not elected within 21 days, Board Chair will call the committee and serve as temporary chair
•Limit public comment to matters germane to agenda items or Board jurisdiction
•Permit committee chairs to limit total public-comment time to 20 minutes for 60-minute meetings
•Require committees to elect chair, vice-chair and secretary from membership upon appointment
The Washington County Board of Zoning Appeals was scheduled Nov. 3, 2026, to consider a variance request by property owner John J. Richard to allow an accessory structure in the front yard at 240 Pleasant Valley Road; county staff recommended denial, citing lack of hardship and visibility concerns.
Discussion Points
•Petitioner requested variance to allow an accessory structure in the front yard of 240 Pleasant Valley Road; materials noted construction completed without a building permit (SEG 046).
•Staff concluded topography and property dimensions did not constitute the physical hardship required for a variance under Article IX and TCA 13-7-109 (SEG 048, SEG 051).
•Staff raised visibility concerns because the structure sits near a sharp curve on Pleasant Valley Road and is approximately 20 feet from pavement (SEG 057).
At its Nov. 3, 2026 meeting, the Washington County Regional Planning Commission considered a staff-recommended rezoning for 176 Moulton Road in Fall Branch and a proposal to impose a moratorium on third-party text amendment requests to the county zoning resolution while the code update is completed.
Discussion Points
•Packet provided no draft ordinance language, start/end dates, or enforcement details.
•Petitioner requested A-1 zoning to allow additional accessory structures on a 10.0-acre lot.
•Proposal would pause third-party initiated text amendment requests until the county completes a zoning resolution update project.
•Staff noted utilities (public water available; no public sewer), access via shared driveway, and a small floodplain area (approx. 0.01 acre) near Horse Creek.
Oct 26, 2026 - Washington County TN Commission Meeting - PT. 1
The Washington County Board of Commissioners met in regular session. The board approved a rezoning request to allow a second dwelling on a property, confirmed appointments to two task forces, accepted a proclamation for Family Court Awareness Month, heard a mayor's update on a bridge project and budget recognition, and received routine reports from the schools, elections and county staff.
Discussion Points
•Board identified missing names in packet for the water task force and discussed adding them to avoid bringing it back later.
•Clerk acknowledged and recorded the comment in the meeting record.
•Comptroller recognition for timely budget passage.
•Mayor and members proposed adding the names and specifying the mayor's fractional membership.
Oct 26, 2026 - Washington County TN Commission Meeting - PT. 2
Washington County Commission considered a series of routine FY27 budget amendments and committee reports, approving multiple resolutions including budget amendments for sheriff equipment and capital projects, authorizing surplus-property sales, and electing notaries; commissioners also flagged local food insecurity and set a strategic planning date.
Discussion Points
•Chair introduced the notary appointment resolution; no names were given on the record.
•Commissioner Cutshall cited Second Harvest anniversary attendance and county food insecurity statistics.
•Commissioner Edens described the resolution as authorizing surplus property disposition via GovDeals.
•Commissioner Edens said the amendment was requested by the sheriff's office to record insurance recovery for damaged deputy cruisers.
•Commissioner Fitzgerald summarized Public Works resolutions and specifically referenced capital funding for water projects and $500,000 FY27 figures.
•Commissioner Tucker introduced several grant-related budget amendments and a benefit item for retirees.
•He suggested relevant committees contact Second Harvest CEO Rhonda Chaffin for possible assistance or coordination.
•No award amounts were stated on the record.
•No public comment or amendments were recorded.
•One commissioner noted hiring a new crew to speed implementation.
•Other commissioners requested a later, fuller update on project processes and timelines.
Decisions
•No formal motion; request for committee follow-up noted.
•Resolution 26-10-12 approved (15 yes).
•Resolution 26-10-13 approved (15 yes).
•Resolution 26-10-24 approved (15 yes).
•Resolution authorizing capital funds approved (15 yes).
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners packet for Oct. 26, 2026 included rezonings, multiple budget amendments and capital spending requests, school capital projects (buses and roof work), appointments to task forces, and several grant and surplus-property actions.
Discussion Points
•Addition of cardiometabolic (Teladoc) and digital MSK/PT (Hinge Health) programs recommended by consultant.
•Approval requested for two additional water-line projects in unincorporated areas: Baskette Road and Frank Stanton Road.
•Authorization request: up to $800,000 for design, engineering and contracted services for DCHS New and Old Annex roofs.
•Department estimates $15,000 additional cost; requests $15,000 from fund balance for total $368,000 expense.
•Detailed line-item increases and offset shown in resolution text.
•ECIP revision for FY27–FY31 accompanies the request.
•Funding requested: up to $500,000 from capital projects fund line 171‑95900‑309.
•Planning commission recommended approval (7‑0).
•Projected 2027 self‑funded medical/Rx cost: $8,920,046 (‑3.9% from estimate).
•Public Safety and Budget committees recommended consideration and approval.
•Recommendation to maintain 90% county / 10% employee premium split and hold employee contributions.
•Recommended by HEW and Budget committees.
•Requested use of $58,500 of restricted eCig funds for Correctek & Kalleo electronic inmate medical records maintenance and inmate mattresses/clothing.
•Request to authorize up to $1,100,000 from Education Capital Projects Fund (177‑95100‑729) for seven propane buses.
•Request to rezone 19.2-acre parcel from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow two single‑family dwellings.
•Staff noted public water/sewer adjacency and absence of mapped flood hazard.
•TDEC non‑matching grant awarded for $353,000 to acquire equipment.
•Use remaining Baby Doe reserve of $30,552 for Recovery Court program expansion and participant supports.
Washington County TN Commission Meeting 09/28/2026
Washington County Board of Commissioners convened to hear public comment, consider three rezoning resolutions (260901–260903) which passed unanimously, address multiple board and committee appointments, recognize search-and-rescue teams for Hurricane Helene recoveries, and receive a county attorney update on a sharp increase in public records requests.
Discussion Points
•A motion to defer planning-commission confirmations was debated and failed by roll call.
•Concern that appointing three commissioners to the regional planning commission would reduce private-citizen seats from five to four and weaken resident representation.
•Free flu clinic date/time and use of immunization building as preparedness exercise; facility improvements funded by grants.
•Nominations and balloting procedures for boards and committees; some commissioners favored retaining experienced commissioners on critical boards during a period of increased planning activity.
•Recognition of search-and-rescue personnel and gratitude to regional partners.
•Recorded growth in public-records requests and staff time; AI-generated requests can be unclear and increase work.
•Staff explained that rezoning requested is similar in character to surrounding uses and that a split parcel’s remainder will remain A-1 agricultural.
•Video and body-cam redaction requires attorney oversight and vendor use in some cases.
Decisions
•All three resolutions approved by recorded vote (clerk announced 15 yes for each).
•Motion to defer consideration of mayoral appointments to the planning commission failed per roll-call (record shows 9 yes, 6 no)
September 10, 2026, September Organizational Commission Meeting Agenda 9.10.26 (PDF). Minutes
Washington County Board of County Commissioners held an organizational meeting on Sept. 10, 2026 at the George P Jaynes Justice Center to elect leadership, form committees and complete committee request forms; nominations for the Committee on Committees were recorded and tallied.
Discussion Points
•Motion to accept nominations moved by Commissioner Daniel Cutshall and seconded by Commissioner Jodi Jones
•Motion to close nominations and elect by acclamation moved by Commissioner Jodi Jones
•Motion to close nominations and elect by acclamation moved by Commissioner Kenneth Huffine and seconded by Commissioner Jodi Jones
•Nomination by Commissioner Roger Verran for Jim Wheeler
•Nomination for chair by Commissioner Jim Wheeler
•Nominations submitted by multiple commissioners
•Per-commissioner votes recorded and tallied by the clerk
Decisions
•Greg Matherly elected chair by acclamation (motion passed, unanimous among those present)
•Jim Wheeler elected vice-chair by acclamation
•Nominations accepted and recorded; specific appointments not listed in minutes
Directions
•Completed committee request forms were submitted to the County Attorney for processing
Sep 10, 2026 - Washington County TN Commission Meeting
Washington County Board of Commissioners held its organizational meeting: commissioners recited prayer and pledge, elected Chairman Matherly and Vice Chair Wheeler, formed the committee-on-committees via ballot, reviewed a letter from the controller approving the FY27 budget, set a committee meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m., and adjourned.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners discussed availability and preference-ranking for committee assignments.
•Mayor announced class signups and additional week added to include schools and highway department.
•Mayor presented controller's approval letter for FY27 budget and noted the timing of the approval.
•Nominations opened for chair and vice chair; the board discussed process for nominations and closed nominations by motion to elect by acclamation.
•Process for nominating and ballot procedures, including whether ballots would be read aloud and preserved with minutes.
•The board debated whether to request three preferences or allow ranking more choices.
Decisions
•Chairman Matherly elected by acclamation; Commissioner Wheeler elected vice chair by voice vote.
•Preference form process accepted (rank three typical); tentative committee meeting set for Monday at 11 a.m.
•Proceed with signed ballots; clerk to announce results. Clerk announced Wheeler (13) and named Malone and Jones among top vote-getters; transcript does not include full five-name list in the excerpt.
Directions
•Clerk to include ballot tallies with meeting minutes or as an exhibit; collect and preserve signed ballots.
•Clerk to record election results and include ballots with minutes per discussion about preserving ballots as records.
•Commissioners to recruit participants from their districts.
•Commissioners to review the document and contact staff with questions.
•Schedule committee meeting Monday at 11:00 a.m.; clerk to confirm room and publish notice.
August 31, 2026, August Commission Agenda 8.31.26 - Amended (PDF). Minutes
Washington County Commission met Aug. 31, 2026 in Jonesborough and approved a range of rezoning items, budget and capital spending items, a TIF for the John Sevier Center, several sheriff's office actions, an electric school bus purchase, a one-year lease for the Harmony School property, and a resolution specifying how to resolve a tied County Commission election for District 13.
Discussion Points
•Acceptance of public health proclamations and administrative approvals.
•Administrative authorizations for law enforcement property, budget amendments and surplus disposition; no recorded floor debate in minutes.
•Authorization of TDOT match for road improvements, consultant funding for zoning department, and bond refunding sale authority.
•Authorization to spend Education Capital Projects funds to buy one electric school bus; one commissioner opposed.
•Multiple rezoning requests were considered; minutes include roll-call votes but not verbatim hearing testimony.
•Whether to hold a runoff election or let the commission cast the deciding vote was debated; an amendment to split that question failed.
•Whether to lease the Harmony School property to the Harmony Community Ruritan; two commissioners opposed.
•Whether to use TIF to support the John Sevier Center project; roll-call split indicates substantive opposition.
Decisions
•Multiple rezoning resolutions adopted; one rezoning denied by majority.
July 27, 2026 - Washington County TN Commission Meeting
Washington County Board of Commissioners met for its regular session on July 28, 2026; business included a contested rezoning request for an RV park (denied), two other rezonings (approved), a heated budget debate over whether a state reimbursement for the May primary should be restricted for convenience voting centers (commission refused to restrict the funds), multiple public-safety capital spending approvals, and updates on FEMA recovery and bond refunding.
Discussion Points
•Applicant described a modest, family-run RV park supporting local tourism and trail access, and committed to site standards and environmental stewardship.
•Ben McInturf described planned truck-repair shop use and rationale for B3.
•Budget committee recommended placing the reimbursement into the general fund and voting down a restriction so any future convenience-voting funding would be considered through the budget process.
•Commissioners asked procedural and fiscal clarifying questions; mayor said no new debt would be created and amortization would not be extended.
•Commissioners discussed minutes discrepancy for radio replacement amount and clarified the intended budget figure is $750,000 due to high costs and obsolete equipment.
•Committee presented multiple capital requests for law-enforcement equipment and facilities.
•Election Administrator Chuck Vest described convenience voting centers as secure, similar to current early-voting practices, and estimated implementation costs roughly in the same range as the reimbursement.
•Mayor described refunding mechanics and projected interest savings (~$100,000/year, about $1M over term).
•Mayor summarized FEMA obligated projects, NRCS contributions and amounts expended to date.
•Miss Charles presented planning recommendations; commissioners asked clarification questions about adjacent zoning and uses.
•Neighbors cited traffic/parking, safety (pond near site), noise, and long-term commercial uses permitted by A3 zoning.
•Planning commission had recommended denial due to incompatibility with surrounding uses.
•Public commenter Cheryl Richards argued the reimbursement should not be treated as new money and recommended funds be used for voter-roll maintenance.
•Retirement of K9 Sheba was approved and commissioners noted the dog has a home.
Decisions
•All public-safety items presented were approved by recorded voice votes as indicated in the transcript.
•Both rezonings were approved as recorded in meeting transcript.
•Commission approved refunding resolution 260720.
•Motion to deny the restriction (leave in general fund) passed as recorded in meeting transcript.
•Resolution 260701 (rezoning) denied by vote recorded 14–1.
Directions
•Election office to develop detailed cost estimates and implementation plan and return to budget committee for consideration before FY28 budget adoption.
•Mayor/finance to proceed with refunding paperwork to comptroller and report back any scope/bid changes for Corby Bridge.
•Procure approved equipment within budget; sheriff’s office to report back on procurement and funding offsets where applicable.
