Residents accuse commissioners of enabling improper payments tied to private act; officials respond

Gwen Holden, who identified herself from 8150 West Point Drive, urged the Hamblen County Finance Committee to recover funds she said were paid to road commissioners under a private act but not earned. "We want the money back because they got money they did not deserve," Holden said during public comment, adding that taxpayers should not underwrite improper payments.

Another attendee, who did not give a full name on the record, seconded Holden's call and alleged the commission had provided an attorney to help the road commissioners keep funds rather than seeking repayment. Holden referenced a prior citizen lawsuit that she said recovered $14,900 for the county after a contested payment.

Dennis Green, who identified himself as a road commissioner, told the committee he feared abolishing the road commission could leave residents unsure whom to contact about road repairs. "I'm thinking that in my faith and that I believe y'all may be making a mistake by going to close this down cuz the people's not going to know who to call or where to go to be able to get their roads fixed," Green said.

Commission members responded in places, saying the commission had previously provided explanations. Mayor Cutshaw told the committee that the road commission itself had requested the changes being acted on at the state level and that several of these items were now returning for local ratification (see related story on private‑act ratifications). Committee leaders repeatedly invited citizens to consult the record and noted some matters have been litigated or settled.

The committee did not take direct recovery action at the meeting; public commenters asked the full commission to pursue repayment or otherwise explain prior decisions. The finance committee did vote to advance several private‑act amendments and budget and contract items to the full commission.