Phil Bunch

The meeting focused extensively on amending the Zoning Map of Loudon County, Tennessee, involving several rezonings and stipulation modifications. Specific actions included re-zoning agricultural and rural residential districts to developing agricultural districts, re-zoning a rural residential district to a general commercial district, and amending a storage unit stipulation to allow office/retail use on a portion of C-2 property. The Commission also addressed several budget and financial matters, including receiving financial reports, discussing action related to the Jackson Law Letter, approving amendments/line adjustments to various county funds (General Fund, Public Libraries Fund, Special Revenue Fund, School Funds, Hospital Projects Fund), considering appropriations from Opioid Settlement funds, and approving the four-year property reappraisal plan. Further items included considering a resolution to send a letter regarding retired officers serving as SROs, discussions on the Level II LeNoir City Annexation matter, approving the formation of a Litter Pick-Up Committee, and discussions regarding potential actions related to opioid settlement funds and grants.

The commission addressed several critical operational and compliance issues. Public comment focused on ongoing severe road safety hazards due to mud and debris tracking from the landfill, leading to commitments from Republic Services to enhance load covering enforcement and for the Chairman to contact the Sheriff's department. Administrative actions included discussions regarding the status of FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 audits and the selection of a new auditor. The commission approved an amendment to the Tennessee National Easement to include necessary ingress and egress provisions. A Waste Away Technologies representative provided an overview of their waste-to-fuel technology. Key operational updates covered environmental monitoring, including detailed discussions on groundwater sampling protocols, well placement, and contamination concerns, and infrastructure projects such as the progress of road paving, installation of catch basins, and CQA approval for two new cell modules, which will facilitate transition away from the top deck dumping area. The jurisdictional waters discussion involved analysis of stream types and regulatory jurisdiction following recent hydrological reports and a site walk. The commission also decided to withdraw the pending lawsuit against Republic Services based on significant progress made on paving and new cell development, pending assessment of effectiveness. Finally, Republic Services committed to continuing litter control notifications to drivers, and the payment for prior legal services was approved.

The agenda for the meeting included reviewing the January 2026 minutes, the Annual Progress Report, a Hydro Determination Review, a request for Monthly Pump Reports, and updates on the East Ditch Pond and Borrow Pit. Discussions also covered the WasteAway operations, 2024 & 2025 Audits, and the Annual Rate Letter. Republic Services provided reports on operations, engineering, airspace utilization, TDEC inspection, and fee letters. Public comments focused heavily on road conditions, alleging that recent paving efforts had not sufficiently mitigated mud trackout, and raised concerns regarding a previously filed and subsequently withdrawn lawsuit, requesting clarification on legal billing. Republic Services detailed the paving project, noting it was only step one of mitigation, confirmed the installation of catch basins, and discussed ongoing monitoring. Republic also confirmed that unsuitable soil from school construction had not been brought to the landfill. An update on the Borrow Pit rezoning application indicated a hearing was scheduled. A Landfill Gas Monitoring Report confirmed no methane migration. The Commission noted an upcoming TDEC meeting concerning the 10-year plan guidance.

The meeting included an Open Discussion where citizens presented concerns regarding Steekee School problems and property tax issues. A Public Hearing was held concerning the Federal Revenue Sharing Budget, after which the 1983-1984 Budget was approved with a 7 to 2 vote, followed by the unanimous approval of the Budget Resolution. Discussions also covered the approval of the Justice Center Contract, outlining contributions from Loudon City and Lenoir City, and the exploration of options for the TASS Water System problems. The Ambulance Service Director provided a report and recognized the Road Superintendent. Resolutions were approved establishing load and speed limits for Town Creek Road and Hickory Creek Road. The County School Building Program was discussed, resulting in the approval of funding for Eaton and Highland Park Elementary Schools, while an amendment to include Steekee School failed. Zoning map amendments were approved to rezone parcels on Map 12 and Map 29-3 to C-2, General Commercial. A resolution was approved regarding the consideration for joint issuance of Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds. The Commission acknowledged a resolution concerning the Downing of a Korean Air Line Plane. A meeting date was set for the appointment of a new County Purchasing Agent. Following extensive discussion, a motion was approved to appoint a committee to develop a proposal for selling the County Hospital, considering employee pensions and indigent care. Finally, a resolution regarding the removal of the Local Sales Tax Limit on Single Items received its second reading and approval. An Airport Committee was appointed to work on securing an airport for Loudon County, and a Single Family Mortgage Resolution was approved.

The agenda included motions regarding personnel policies, the adoption of the Chamber of Commerce Board Member appointment resolution, the adoption of the Sex Offender Registration Act resolution, and the acceptance of the 1998 meeting schedule. The Commission discussed and passed a motion to assist Family Pride Corporation with paving, and granted the Tennessee National Guard use of the Facilities Maintenance site. Salary adjustments for maintenance staff were addressed, and a discussion occurred regarding the enforcement of BZA codes. The County Attorney reported on annexation amendment resolution support and jurisdiction matters. Budget amendments were approved for a sewer line connection at the Justice Center, preliminary design for the Loudon County jail expansion, and replacement of jail doors. Notaries were approved, and the Fair Housing Resolution, which was initially deferred, was ultimately adopted.