McMinn County Commission approves health contract, rental-data participation, school and safety budget amendments and several appointments

McMinn County commissioners meeting Jan. 19, 2026 approved a contract with the Tennessee Department of Health, adopted a set of budget amendments that included school and public-safety grant entries, authorized participation in a state short-term rental data program, and confirmed four appointments to county and utility boards.

Finance Director Jason Luallen presented Resolution 26-001 to approve the county’s contract with the Tennessee Department of Health for FY 2025–2026, which the minutes list with a total appropriation billed to the county of $68,500. Commissioners approved the resolution and authorized the county mayor or his designee to execute and administer the contract.

Commissioners also approved multiple budget amendments. The minutes record an additional Safe & Drug Free School & Community grant entry of $150,000 to support School Resource Officer (SRO) costs and related local contributions and payroll-related expense lines; an insurance-recovery entry of $32,315 to cover vehicle repairs; and a $30,000 Governor’s Highway Safety (alcohol countermeasures) grant to fund sheriff’s department overtime. School-related amendments included adjustments tied to the Innovative School Models (ISM) grant, with capital and equipment lines (examples in the record: building construction $415,000; vocational equipment $101,000). Where roll-call votes are recorded, commissioners voted unanimously in the affirmative.

On Resolution 26-002, the commission approved McMinn County’s participation in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Short-Term Rental Data Technical Assistance Program, which uses data matched to property tax records (through November 2026) via a vendor, Granicus. The resolution directs any additional Hotel/Motel tax revenue attributable to the program be allocated according to the county’s authorizing Private Act and authorizes the county mayor and the McMinn County Tourism Director to execute necessary documents.

The board also approved Resolution 26-003 authorizing the county to apply for $20,000 in America 250th funds, distributed through the Tennessee State Museum, to place an American Revolution monument on the McMinn County Courthouse grounds; the resolution states the grant requires no local match and the mayor is authorized to execute application documents.

Commissioners confirmed a set of appointments by voice vote: Dean Williams to the McMinn County Agricultural Extension Committee (Res. 26-004); Commissioner Brent Carter to the Agricultural Extension Committee (Res. 26-005); Evan Thomas to the Calhoun–Charleston Utility District Board of Commissioners for a term beginning Feb. 16, 2026 (Res. 26-006); and Todd Watson to the Hiwassee Utilities Board of Directors (Res. 26-007).

Chairman Scott Curtis reported the Budget Committee had met earlier and approved a budget calendar and recommendation supporting the short-term rental resolution. County Mayor John Gentry briefed commissioners on several items he expected to move forward soon, including a possible state Rural Fire Grant (the minutes indicate a figure of about $600,000 to be distributed to the county’s volunteer fire departments), a timetable for Opioid Council grant applications with a March deadline and funding recommendations expected in April, a Feb. 27 planning session at the Higher Education Center, and an invitation to view the new Health Department construction progress. Commissioner Travis Crisp reported Riceville Fire Department had received a $38,000 grant for a side-by-side vehicle.

Administrative business included approval of a slate of notary applicants. With no further business, Chairman Curtis adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Resolutions 26-001, 26-002, 26-003 and Resolutions 26-004 through 26-007 (appointments) were approved by voice vote; listed budget amendments were approved, including at least one unanimous roll-call vote recorded in the minutes.