August Commission Work Session 2025

What with the budget vote being last month and the property tax rate settled, I thought it would be a quiet month at the Sullivan County Commission work session, but, alas, it wasn't. There's still a lot of county business to be done. Remember that the regular Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, August 18, this month instead of the normally scheduled time.

First, I got in trouble with the fellow in the bright shirts and shorts who brings out the agendas. They've always just been on the table at the side of the room and I just walked up and got one, so when I walked in and there was a box on that table with packets in it, I went to get one.  Oooops. He was definitely not pleased with me. I told him I was sorry, but he remained  but he remained aloof but did eventually hand me an agenda. Some social contract there that I will be attempting in the future to learn the nuances of.

The first part of the work session is always a rezoning hearing. Someone on Hwy 126 in Blountville requested that a parcel be rezoned from R1 to A1 (residential to agricultural). This parcel is within Kingsport's growth area and is traditionally farming. The parcel owner's concern was that if it was annexed, his ability to farm it would be compromised if it were not rezoned to agricultural. The nearby owners were concerned that the rezoning would allow the owner to put a single-wide mobile home on it which would lower their property values. (Ironic, isn't it, since most Sullivan Countians were just trying to get our assessments lowered.)  After a good bit of back and forth and public comment, the rezoning  request was passed.

After the regular work session was called to order, Chair Gardner excused himself and Chair pro tem Vanover took the chair. Solid Waste Director Torbett reported that the county has a diversion rate (keeping trash out of the landfill) of 43%. The state requires a diversion rate of 25%. The extra diversion has saved the county about $140K.

Director of Schools Carter requested to present a video at the regular meeting on Monday. He was then asked a few questions: 1) teacher bonuses (on their way -- the money just got there from the state, the school board had to approve it, now the commission has to approve it, and then the teachers get it); 2) Sullivan West High School plans (Rec Assn has one year lease on facilities and the school building itself will likely be demolished); 3) and a couple other minutia.

There were no public comments and no old business. There were, however, 14 items of new business to be introduced.  Most involved either the acceptance of grants, or permission to apply for grants, mostly for schools. A couple of items move money from last year's budget to this year's for projects that weren't yet completed. One was a state requested change of language in the employee handbook to take DHS/DUI out and put only DUI in (that's not how the Item reads, but it's how it was explained -- the Item reads that officers working outside of their normal hours on DUI checkpoints funded by grants may be paid at a rate of 1.5 times their normal rate of pay). One was to offer for sale a piece of property the county owns on Bristol Caverns Hwy. One will finally get teachers their state bonuses, as was mentioned above.

The most important item is the funding for tax relief. Trustee Angela Taylor had prepared a lot of factual content that I didn't have access to reporting citizens' income and the taxes paid. There was a lot of discussion about how badly this is needed, how many more people need to know about it, and how it helps people in the cities as well as in the county. The income limit for 2025 is $37,530, and you must be 65+ or disabled to qualify. There is some special provision for veterans that I couldn't quite follow (I think if you are a 100% disabled vet, there is no income limit but there is a limit on the home's value?). To get county relief, you do have to be qualified for state relief. Ms. Taylor's office has always been very good about helping people fill out the paperwork to get qualified. A maximum of $400K will be allocated for this relief.

The Trustee's office will be moving to a place where parking and access will be much better, but, to avoid confusion, not until after next year's tax season.