Wlaf1450JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – County commissioners extended their workshop Monday night to hear from a number of agencies and non-profit groups looking for endorsements or support from the county as the commission gears up to begin working on the 202-23 fiscal year budget. Watch the meeting HERE on demand.
First to speak was former Caryville mayor/city manager Scott Collins. Collins, back home in Campbell County after nearly a decade serving as a city manager, most recently six years in Fayetteville. Collins spoke to commissioners about the new sports complex being touted for Caryville and distributed a proposal for the county to establish a community & economic development department within county government.
He did not elaborate on his own credentials but it can be assumed that Collins would offer himself as a candidate to head up the department. Chairman Johnny Bruce referred the topic to the Ways & Means Committee for further discussion.
Next up was a representative from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, who requested the commission to authorize an application for a 2022 Home Grant program to pay for housing rehabilitation for low income residents. THDA would administer the program, with a grant in the amount of $750,000. No county matching funds are required with all of the funding provided by the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
Under the HOME program, homeowners would be eligible if their annual income was less than $31,600 or $45,000 for a family of four. Most funds would be applied to renovation work on existing homes but in some cases recipients could qualify for a replacement structure. The homeowner would not be required to repay the costs unless they moved and sold the home before a 15-year lien expired.
Rusty Orick agreed to sponsor the motion at next week’s commission meeting to authorize Mayor E. L. Morton to file the application with THDA.
Next, Tim Howell with the East Tennessee Home Assistance Service explained their group’s goal of providing assistance to disabled or elderly residents who need help with cleaning, bathing and other basic needs and have no nearby family who can help.
Howell told commissioners that his service is seeking a grant to purchase a vehicle that can be used by volunteers to transport eligible clients for banking, shopping or doctor’s visits. The request for county assistance in obtaining a vehicle was referred to the Ways & Means Committee for further study.
Charles Turner from the Campbell County Health Department was next up, with a request that the county commit $115,000 as a 25 % match for a $450,000 ARPA grant to renovate and remodel the Health Department building, to make it more efficient for providers and patients. The contract would have to be executed by April so there is a timeline to be met. The matter will be taken up in the commission’s Infrastructure Committee as soon as a meeting can be arranged.
Rhonda Longmire spoke last, representing the Chamber of Commerce and distributing an update report on Chamber activities. It is ironic that while Longmire did not appear to come with a specific request for money or grant support, her presentation brought forth the only controversy of the evening.
Ralph Davis asked Longmire about the question discussed at previous commission meetings of placing one or two commissioners on the Chamber Board of Directors. Longmire replied that the Chamber’s goal is to avoid becoming political. Davis then changed tract and stated, “There’s a rumor in LaFollette that if Mayor Morton loses re-election, the Chamber plans to replace Missy (Tackett) and bring him back as Director.”
Longmire calmly replied that the Chamber is very satisfied with the job of the current director and has no plans to make a change. Mayor Morton was less diplomatic, telling Davis, “You may want to talk to your attorney before making statements in public that far-fetched.”
“Davis replied with a shrug, “I just asked a question.” With that exchange Chairman Johnny Bruce announced that time had expired and the workshop was adjourned. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/17/2022-6AM)