August Commission Meeting 2025

There was not much controversial in this month's Commission Meeting, but there was still a lot of business to be done. The most important business was the approval of the resolution to authorize funding for the County Tax Relief Program, which is supplemental to the Tennessee State Tax Relief Program. It was in the consent agenda so received no discussion. The most interesting thing was the facts behind the Proclamation of September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

 

Director of Schools Chuck Carter presented a video made by Sullivan East and ETSU graduate Eric Hare (who is also the principal's son) touting the Sullivan County School's motto of "Inspire, Innovate, Transform". Several board appointments were then made to the Intermont and Blountville Utility Districts and the Emergency Communication District Board.

September was proclaimed Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Commissioner Jones shared a statement before the reading of the proclamation that included these facts: Sullivan County leads the state in suicides with 27.1/100k (the state rate is 16.7); 69% of suicides are by firearms; suicides in youths ages 10-19 have increased 47% from 2019-2023; there has been an 80% increase in firearms suicides in the same period. Commissioner Jones said that he thought the Commissioners, as the governing body of Sullivan County, should be aware and "see what we can do to prevent it." The obvious answer was in his presentation of facts: common sense gun legislation including safe storage and red flag laws, as well as accessible mental health treatment for all Tennesseans.

John Rose, executive director of BRIDGE, spoke during public comment about the new airline service coming to Tri-Cities Regional Airport, Breeze Airways.

Commissioner Glover took this time to recognize Sherri DeVault who is the grants coordinator, along with the entire finance team, for working on about 45 grants currently and bringing about $1.7 million to the county in the last nine months.

The Consent Agenda of items 1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,and 11 was then approved unanimously.

Item 3 was the teacher bonuses which was voted on independently to show support which was unanimous. Item 12 was a sheriff's department grant, which there was some discussion as to what it could be used for, but it is for the opening of the new jail. Item 13 is for a grant for generators for Emergency Services which requires a $72,688 match from the county. Item 14 was about selling some property on Bristol Caverns Highway. All were passed unanimously.

Announcements were that on September 2 there would be in the Food City Press Room a live broadcast from Israel with Phil Roe as a special guest, and on August 24 there would be a blessing of the new Safe Haven Baby Box. Commissioner Glover shared a handout about property tax relief which I've shared here.