Linda Shaver

The commission meeting agenda included discussions on budget amendments, appropriations for various county funds, and non-profit charitable organizations. Key resolutions considered involved imposing a temporary moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, approval of the Rhea County Fire Department personnel guidelines, and several lease agreements. Other items included surplus equipment declaration, various grant contract approvals, and financial reports from the Sheriff's department. The meeting also involved various committee report submissions, appointment considerations for county boards, and considerations of property donation from TVA impact funds for fire station construction and road improvements.

The Rhea County Commission conducted a workshop and subsequent meeting to address various agenda items, including Sheriff's Department requests to surplus and dispose of equipment (a travel trailer for donation, and multiple vehicles for auction), as well as discussions on emergency mental health transport changes. The commission also received and reviewed minutes from the Rhea Medical Center Board of Directors, Rhea County Budget Committee, and Rhea County 911 Emergency Communications District Board of Directors.

The Commission meeting involved multiple budget amendments and appropriations across various funds including the county general, highway, debt, and school budgets. Key resolutions included allocating hotel/motel tax funds to the Rhea County Fair Association for the 2026 Rodeo, modifying a grant agreement for the Morgantown Community Park and Playground project to swap pickleball courts for soccer fields, and authorizing the County Executive to enter into a proposal with the Tennessee Department of Transportation regarding a bridge project on Harrison Avenue. Additionally, the commission read various committee minutes into the record and addressed surplus equipment disposal and cooperative purchasing agreements.

The commission agenda includes several new business items such as final plat reviews for various lot subdivisions, combinations, and lot line adjustments involving multiple property owners and surveying firms. Old business items consist of a lot line adjustment with an access easement and a side yard building setback variance request for a property in Apollo Shores. Additionally, technical review notes provided by the planning commission staff address requirements for building setbacks, flood map updates, E-911 compliance, and utility certificate documentation for various submitted plats.

The commission meeting included discussions and actions on budget amendments and appropriations, including the approval of Budget Amendment #134C and the presentation of the Office of Sheriff Annual Financial Report. Resolutions were approved to re-appoint members to the Rhea County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District Board of Directors and to hire a real estate broker for the sale of county-owned properties acquired through delinquent tax sale. The commission also considered and ultimately approved funding from the Hotel Motel Tax to sponsor the 2025 rodeo and authorized the Rhea County School System to use the fairgrounds for a JROTC competition. Additionally, several individuals were approved to become notaries public.