Blount County adopts package of budget and administrative resolutions, authorizes bridge repair and recognizes vendor fraud loss

The Blount County Commission on June 18 adopted a series of budget, capital and administrative resolutions, moving a large package of items individually after pulling the omnibus consent calendar.

Key votes and actions included:

- Resolution 26-06010 (highway capital, $249,740): Appropriated funds to repair the Dark Island swinging bridge in Townsend. Motion passed 19–0. Commissioner Giles and Commissioner Acard commented on cost and public access; the resolution notes a future agreement (the packet references a 99-year lease for public access).

- Education and school capital: Multiple appropriations were approved, including reclassifying Heritage Middle School design fee to school capital ($145,000, 26-06015), a public defender opioid treatment position ($85,024, 26-06016), secure entrance at Friendsville Elementary ($68,635, 26-06017), locker-bay flooring improvements at William Blount High and Heritage High ($49,400, 26-06018), and replacement of the fire-alarm system at Mary Blount Elementary ($265,500, 26-06009). Most passed with unanimous recorded votes (typically 19 yes).

- Resolution 26-06020 (central services, $215,462.62): Provided interlocal agreement funds to keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open during a government shutdown. Adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06005: Interfund loan, $4,000,000 (debt service to ARPA fund) to allow reimbursement timing while awaiting State of Tennessee reimbursement; adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06008 (highway capital, $648,846.78): Funds to upgrade four county signalized intersections; adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06021: Approved a three-year contract with TREPP Incorporated for commercial appraisals and appeals software for the property assessor; adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06022: Adopted county regulation of data centers and cryptocurrency mining; adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06023: Authorized an actuarial study requested by TCRS for possible hazardous-duty supplemental benefits to certain public safety officers; adopted 19–0.

- Resolution 26-06024: Recognized a cash shortage of $26,129.50 after a vendor-payment fraud event; staff reported the FBI and partners recovered $245,000 but the remaining $26,129.50 was unlikely to be recovered; commission adopted the recognition resolution 19–0 to allow auditors to close the fiscal-year books.

Commissioners also confirmed a mayoral appointment to the Parks and Recreation Board and reviewed upcoming committee meeting dates. Several items were discussed individually at the request of Commissioner Aikert to provide more fiscal scrutiny before votes.

The commission generally approved budget adjustments and administrative contracts with broad majorities; the separate major exception was Resolution 26-06013 (stormwater amendments), which failed after an extended debate.