Votes at a glance: Cocke County commissioners approve raft-fee waiver, MOA, lease extension, appointments and bridge naming

At the same meeting, commissioners approved multiple consent and business items by roll-call vote.

Key votes and outcomes

- MOA with Jefferson County for the Jefferson County Workhouse: approved by roll call (14 yes reported during discussion of the MOA). The budget committee recommended approval.

- Renewal/contract items and amendments: after debate the renewal for the county attorney firm was amended to two years (see separate article for details).

- One‑year lease extension for the highway department: approved; staff said architects have been procured and drawings are being rendered while the building is rebuilt.

- East Tennessee Development District (ETDD) contract: approved to continue planning, grant and solid‑waste senior‑plan services.

- Waiver of $500 rafting permit fee for the 2026 season: approved to continue temporary relief given to rafting companies recovering from recent flooding.

- Appointments: the board approved appointments to the E‑911 board (C.J. Ball, Neal Hawkbird, Mayor Trey Dykes) and appointed Shane McGahey as county genealogist; the genealogist receives no county salary as recorded in the meeting.

- Hatch Bridge naming: the board approved naming Bridge ID 15‑02574‑00‑17 (Old 15th Road) the William Roy Carlisle Memorial Bridge after a highway commission recommendation.

Votes listed here and outcomes are taken directly from the meeting record; specific roll‑call tallies are recorded in the meeting transcript for several items.