Commission votes to help Honor Guard

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – When the Campbell County Commission met Monday afternoon for their budget committee session, the audience included around 20 members of the Jellico Honor Guard, all decked out in their dress uniforms and hoping for some financial support from commissioners.

The Guard got their wish, along with a standing ovation from the commission and audience, as commissioners unanimously approved a budget amendment to make a one-time contribution of $20,000 taken from the county’s fund balance. The Honor Guard asked for the money to pay half of the cost of a low mileage replacement vehicle to be used by the Jellico Honor Guard at veteran funerals and other events.

Commissioner Ralph Davis made the motion to approve the amendment, seconded by Tyler King, after that item was set aside from the package of 15 amendments for a separate vote. Other commissioners voiced their appreciation to the Honor Guard for their service and Chairman Johnny Bruce called for a standing ovation for the Honor Guard to cap off the budget session.

Other amendments included $8,247 from the state to cover a senior citizen center health screening program, use of the balance from the current homeland security grant to pay for a tandem trailer, traffic cones and radio equipment, $3,000 from insurance recovery for repair of roof damage at the county’s recycling center and another adjustment in the sanitation budget to cover over $10,000 in overtime pay.

Environmental Services Director Bill Rutherford was again put on the hot seat at a sanitation committee meeting before the budget session, fielding questions about how long it will take to complete clean-up of an overflowing Towe String dump site.

“I want to say by the end of the week but if any equipment breaks down, I can’t promise that, Rutherford responded. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/10/2022-6AM)