Commission dissolution of Carter County Tomorrow, Riverview Drive project and more

Published 8:17 am Wednesday, September 18, 2019

In addition to shuffling committee members around, the county commission discussed a wide variety of items during their monthly meeting Monday evening, including a return visit from a concerned citizen.

Laura Riddell returned to address the commission regarding the alleged illegal placement of a transitional home in a residential zone.

“I have met with and have been trying to work this out quietly for over a year,” she said.

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With no other word about potential action, she brought to the commission a petition for action to be taken against Recovery Soldiers. She said 29 of the 31 homes in her neighborhood signed it.

“I have been begging, pleading for help,” she said.

No further discussion on the matter took place.

The commission also discussed a resolution that clarified and tightened the procedure for ceremonies following discourse about the Mike and Sara Whitehead Sellers Memorial Bridge in late July.

Essentially, the resolution clarifies who needs to be invited to such ceremonies, after allegations some elected officials were not formally invited.

The resolution passed unanimously.

Mayor Russell Barnett, during his report, discussed the formal dissolution of Carter County Tomorrow and made a motion to officially terminate their lease on the building CCT meets in.

Part of the discussion revolved around where the building would go once it is absorbed back into the county.

“It is different than having officeholders there,” Isaiah Grindstaff said.

Mike Hill said he would prefer the organization put their remaining leases through the county.

Hill and Charles Von Cannon were the only dissenting votes.

Sonja Culler and Solid Waste Director Benny Lyons said they are considering a possible location for the recycling center on Cherokee Drive.

The property in question features roughly seven acres of land and 45,000 square feet.

Von Cannon suggested his property in the Bemberg facility, but the commission said they cannot use that unless Von Cannon is willing to donate the land to the county.

The commission voted unanimously in favor of seeking appraisal for the land.

Ross Garland said the state comptroller’s office formally approved the 2019/2020 budget and reported the current fund balance is roughly $9.75 million.

“We would like to thank everyone for their hard work,” Garland said. “That is something you should all be proud of.”

During the Budget Committee’s report, the proposed increase in unassigned fund balance requirements from 20 percent to 25 percent went up for a final vote. Mike Hill was the lone dissenting vote.

The commission also approved roughly $660,000 towards the Riverview Drive project, which links Valley Forge to East Side.

The road washed out due to heavy rainfall in late February of this year. A narrow road as it is, the section now blocks off half of the road due to concerns of further decay of the road.

Robert Acuff was absent for the meeting.

The next full commission meeting will take place Monday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. at the county courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.