“I feel like I’m being targeted,” JR Kitts, local tire dealer

City of La Follette leaders are in the process of amending used tires storage rules

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- On Tuesday afternoon, the LaFollette City Council met for the monthly meeting.

The first topic discussed was Ordinance 2024-04 amending the municipal code regarding chapter 4 storage of used tires section 13-402 unlawful storage in all zoning districts. The ordinance changes the number of tires allowed to be stored outside from 300 to 200, the tires cannot be stored for more than 30 days and the violation fee changed from $50 to $100. Local business owner JR Kitts was present at the meeting and spoke to the council about the ordinance. Citizens were given three minutes to comment on any of the agenda items. However Kitts spoke for about 20 minutes and during his time he told the council “He feels he’s being targeted” with this change to the ordinance. The ordinance did have a first reading and was passed.

Local business owner Tommy Robards with Wender Furniture spoke to the council about his concerns about removing the traffic light and crosswalk on First Street and East Central Avenue and replacing it with a caution light. Robards expressed his concerns about the safety of people getting out of their vehicle and crossing the street without the light. The council decided to wait on voting about the light until another time.

Ordinance 2026-02 amending the City of LaFollette Code with respect to waste disposal from construction, demolition, and repairs to property was passed. Ordinance 2026-03 abandoning a portion of unopened street along the intersection of South Avenue and West Chestnut Street had a first reading

Hiring Reid Troutman as the city’s delinquent tax attorney was approved. The council approved advertising for a request for qualifications for a LaFollette Utility Board Member. Applicants must be a resident of the City of LaFollette. A bid from Adam’s Construction for sidewalk project on SR-9, from East Beech St. to East Forrest St. for $514,843 was accepted. Two other bids were accepted as well. The first was from Clark Brothers Construction for the THDA Home Grant for a residence at 203 East Elm Street in the amount of $58,230 and ABC Construction for the THDA Home Grant for a residence at 408 South Indiana Avenue for $85,255.

The final item approved was for the police department to purchase a UTV from Knoxville Power Sports in the amount of $23,909. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-05/06/2026-6AM)