Resolutions, grant applications, other business discussed by commissioners

Campbell County Commission meets to set agenda for Monday’s regular monthly meeting

By Charlotte Underwood 

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Campbell County Commissioners met Monday evening to set the agenda for next week. Topping the discussion were multiple resolutions, along with grant applications.

A resolution requesting the General Assembly “adopt legislation requiring the division of property assessments within the office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to complete the reappraisal process in a more timely manner to ensure efficient and timely adoption of the county annual operating budget.”

The resolution requests the General assembly “establish a defined timeline for completion of the Certified Tax Rate calculation by the County Property Assessor and the State Division of Property Assessments to facilitate the efficient and timely adoption of the Annual Budget by the County Commission.”

Also on next week’s agenda for approval is a resolution requesting the extension of the ground ambulance service provider assessment act will be on next week’s agenda. The act is set to expire in June of 2025 “if not extended by the Tennessee General Assembly.” 

According to the resolution, the act is “vital to local ambulance services.” The resolution the commission will vote on state’s the “county supports legislation that will extend this act.”

Another resolution up for approval requests the state of Tennessee increase State Prisoner Board reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates to at least $48 daily per inmate.

According to the resolution, “due to high inflation, the cost to house state inmates has increases significantly in recent years.”

The resolution goes on to state that “Campbell County is greatly appreciative for the increased reimbursement from the $39 to $41 per inmate in fiscal year 2023, however, it is estimated that had the reimbursement increases at the rate of inflation since 2018, the reimbursement to counties would be at least $48 daily in fiscal year 2025.” It also points out that “it is estimated that had prison board reimbursement increased from $41 to $48 daily per inmate in 2024, approximately $225,000 -$350,000 would have been generated” and “Whereas, in fiscal year 2024, Campbell County took in approximately $500,000 less in Prisoner Board Revenue than what was received in fiscal year 2020.”

According to the county, “prisoner board reimbursement is vital to the ability of Campbell County to properly house state inmates without placing a significant burden on Campbell County taxpayers.”

Once the resolution is adopted by the county commission, copies will be sent to Governor Bill Lee, Senator Ken Yager, State Representative Dennis Powers and the Office of Tennessee Department of Corrections Commissioner Frank Strauda.                                            

In other business, several General Session Court grant applications will be voted on at next week’s meeting. The commission will vote on approval for General Sessions Judge Bill Jones to apply for a grant of $60,000 of funding from the state of Tennessee to assist in Recovery Court. Other grants include a Safe Baby Court grant for up to $125,000 and a grant for Recovery Court for up to $125,000.

Final business that will be voted on will be the approval of architectural services contract with MBI for the repair and replacement of the transfer station building. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/15/2024-6AM)