December Commission Meeting 2025

Prelude
Commissioner Joe Carr, arrested in October for public intoxication and sexual battery in Asheville, continued to be absent from public meetings. If you have interest in ousting him from his position, if he has harassed you, and especially if you live in his district, give fellow Commissioner Joe McMurray a call at (423) 247-6161, or email him at Joseph.McMurray@sullivancountytn.gov.

The meeting
There were no comments from the public.

There were six items *not* on the consent calendar, and two of those were withdrawn. The biggies were the 4-month moratorium on data centers and the reservation of space in the old Blountville school for a business incubator. The moratorium had to be put on hold because Kingsport's planning and zoning department had not acted on it, and both Bristol and Kingsport must provide their recommendations before the county can take action. It was deferred until next month. The incubator garnered two no votes, from Commissioners Glover and King, but no further discussion.

Item 4, regarding a contract for juvenile detention, was discussed. It was amended so that the county would pay for medical care only if the inmate didn't have insurance. Commissioner Hopper asked if TennCare wouldn't cover them, but Vanover stated that TennCare is dropped upon incarceration. Commissioner Ward said that he supports this item, but the county needs to examine its situation with JCDC, as the county pays a fee, yet JCDC never has beds available for detention.

New business included the cyber security grant, which requires a 30% match from the county, and the sale of delinquent properties. 

After all items were passed, the Chair brought updated committee assignments. Commissioner Jones again begged folks to attend their committee meetings. Interestingly, Jones said the budget committee had several meetings without a quorum present, but the budget committee members are at the discretion of the mayor.

The budget development calendar was shared, as was the appointment of Jerry Buchanan to the Bristol-Bluff City Utility District.

Commissioner Ireson announced American Airlines was adding a direct flight from Tri to Chicago, and that a Breeze direct round trip to Orlando is only $300.

Commissioner Glover then made a motion from the floor that would give county employees a full day off on Christmas Eve instead of the half-day currently scheduled. Commissioner Ireson clarified that this would give employees who didn't get the day off a full day of holiday pay. Commissioner Means asked how much that would cost. She didn't get an answer. Glover asked for a roll call vote. Commissioner Ward abstained for cause (he is one of those employees with the Sheriff's office), and all other votes were yes.

Conclusion
I believe this meeting was over in less than an hour, which is a record. I've attended each regular meeting this year (except February, because it snowed). I have learned a lot about how the county operates, and I hope folks looking for county information can find it here. You can leave any comments or suggestions in the comments on any post.