Building and Grounds Committee approves company’s request to use county-owned property
Published 2:15 pm Wednesday, March 8, 2023
- Star Photo/Robert Sorrell The Carter County Building and Grounds Committee approved a fiber optics company’s request to use a county-owned property near Watauga Lake on Tuesday night.
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
The Carter County Building and Grounds Committee approved a fiber optics company’s request to use a county-owned property near Watauga Lake.
Commissioner Robert Acuff brought SkyLine/SkyBest’s request to the committee’s meeting on Tuesday evening. The company wants to construct a 12-foot-by-12-foot building on the county-owned Sluder property to house its equipment.
SkyLine/SkyBest is in the process of bringing fiber optic internet service to the remote section of Carter County near Little Milligan and Elk Mills.
Bob and Carroll Sluder donated about an acre of land to the county in 2017. In the deed, the property is to be used for a public service.
Committee members said they believe the fiber optic company’s usage would be a public service to the community.
“We don’t want to get in a situation like the BitCoin issue in Washington County,” said County Attorney Josh Hardin, referring to bitcoin mining operation in the Limestone area that remains embroiled in a lawsuit partially due to noise pollution.
Acuff said residents would not be able to hear any noises coming from the SkyLine/SkyBest building.
County Mayor Patty Woodby said she believed the proposed building would be nice and not an eyesore.
The matter will now go to the full commission for final approval.
Woodby also updated the committee on air quality concerns at the old jail. There were concerns that the building was contaminated with mold.
Tests have been completed and Woodby said there was nothing found, except for two small spores. She said those spots were being cleaned and removed.
The Health and Welfare Committee also met Tuesday evening and briefly discussed the county’s contract with the Carter County Rescue Squad. The Rescue Squad’s director, Terry Arnold, said the organization was working with an attorney to draft a proposed contract for the new budget cycle. Board members for the Rescue Squad will meet March 28 to discuss and likely approve the contract, he said.
The contract would then go to the county for consideration. Arnold said he doesn’t expect the contract to be much different than previous agreements.
