Sullivan County

The Sullivan County Board of County Commissioners convened for a meeting that included a rezoning hearing, consideration of amendments to the Sullivan County Zoning Plan, and discussions on fixing the tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year. The board also addressed appropriations for various funds, departments, institutions, offices, and agencies within Sullivan County. Additionally, funds were allocated to numerous charitable, civic, and non-profit organizations for the fiscal year 2025-2026.

The agenda for the County Commission Work Session included public hearings on non-agenda and agenda items, followed by a review of Old Business and potential New Business. Old Business involved a resolution to appropriate $544,900 from the Opioid Settlement Fund to purchase the "Snapp-Fain" House property, including the "Anderson Boys Cottage" for use as a Women's Recovery Home. New Business items included multiple resolutions concerning the acceptance and appropriation of grant funds for Sullivan County Schools (SAEF, TYEP, GEAR UP, ISM Amendment), a resolution regarding the compensation for the Delinquent Tax Attorney, a resolution to apply for and appropriate TDEC funding for Hurricane Helene Solid Waste and Debris Management, a resolution for funding from the Tennessee Department of Health for revitalizing tennis and pickleball courts at Sullivan Heights Middle School, a resolution to dedicate the Petty John Road Bridge in honor of CLP Donald R. Gonce, USMC, and a resolution to approve funding for the continuation and maintenance of FirstDue Software for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads.

The meeting included presentations such as the Sullivan County Regional Health Department's CPR initiative and the appointment of Rebecca McKinney to the Sullivan County Library Board. The board addressed a resolution to apply for funding from the Tennessee Commission for archival shelving to preserve post-revolutionary records. Additional resolutions included accepting funding from the Tennessee State Library and Archives for library technology upgrades, recognizing reimbursements received for project expenses, and acknowledging Sullivan County Schools' participation in the Tennessee Young Employee Program. The board also approved selling a mower and transferring a roller to Bluff City Public Works Department, adopting the Sullivan County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and reappropriating funds for technical support for the Sullivan County Emergency Management Agency. Furthermore, they authorized advertising for tourism marketing services, approved changes for employee insurance premiums, and accepted a grant to create a Mental Health Court Program.

The meeting included a video presentation by the Sullivan County Schools Director, appointments to the Intermont Utility District, Blountville Utility District, and Sullivan County Emergency Communications District Board. The board addressed a resolution to amend the Sullivan County Employee Handbook, recognized and accepted grants from the State of Tennessee for pre-employment transition services, Innovative School Models, recruitment and retention, and public school security. They also discussed authorizing the application for and acceptance of funds from the Broadband Ready Communities Grant Program, requesting the reappropriation of funds from the Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, and amending the fiscal year solid waste budget. Additionally, they considered authorizing funding for a county tax relief program, a resolution authorizing the Sullivan County Sheriff to enter into a contract with Tyler Technologies, and a resolution authorizing the application, acceptance, and appropriation of funds from FEMA/TEMA for standby generators. Finally, they discussed placing county-owned property for sale.