Commissioner Howard Thompson apologizes; commission reassigns committee chair and approves shelter funding, opioid allocations and insurance renewal

Commissioner Howard Thompson apologized to the community and to fellow commissioners during the Bradley County Commission’s regular meeting on Nov. 3, 2025 in Cleveland, saying he “do apologize to the community I serve and to Bradley County for anything I said that offended them.” Thompson’s remarks referenced a comment he made after the previous meeting that drew public attention on social media.

Chairman Thomas L. Crye responded that the county’s elected officials must “reflect the highest standards of civility and integrity,” and announced an immediate reassignment of committee leadership: Commissioner Mike Hughes was appointed chair of the Building and Land Committee, replacing Commissioner Thompson.

The Commission then took a series of unanimous votes on routine and substantive business. Mayor D. Gary Davis read a proclamation designating Nov. 4–11, 2025 as a time to salute veterans; Commissioner Milan Blake moved to enter the proclamation into the minutes and the full body approved the motion 14–0.

On budget items, Commissioner Blake moved to reallocate $96,000 previously designated for Affordable Housing to sustain the Cleveland Bradley County Emergency Shelter’s daily operations. Blake told the Commission the shelter had requested the repurposing to ensure uninterrupted services; the motion, seconded by Commissioner Bill Winters, passed 14–0.

Blake also reported a unanimous Finance Committee recommendation to distribute 2026 opioid settlement funds among local service providers. The committee recommended, and the Commission approved, allocations including $160,000 to the Bradley Prevention Coalition, $45,000 to Caring Place, $35,000 to Foundation House, $30,000 each to ATS The Bridge and to the Cleveland Bradley County Emergency Shelter, $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Club and $20,000 to WillowBend Farm. The mayor was authorized to notify recipients and request revised proposals showing how funds will be used.

Commissioner Blake moved and Commissioner Mike Hughes seconded Resolution 2025-45, authorizing Director Scott Oliver of Bradley Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center to apply for a line of credit with First Horizon Bank; the resolution was adopted unanimously. Later, Commissioner Tommy Ledford moved to authorize the county mayor to continue employee health coverage with Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company at an initial county cost not to exceed $778.22 per enrolled employee; Commissioner Tim Mason seconded, and the vote was 14–0 in favor.

The meeting concluded after the consent agenda and routine voting-session business. No commissioner recorded an opposing vote on any of the measures taken at the Nov. 3 meeting.