Blount County Commission Workshop | 10-13-26

Blount County Commission workshop, Blount County Government, Tennessee — October 13, 2026. Commissioners approved several budget resolutions: $1.5 million from highway capital fund balance for hot asphalt mix and county-road paving; $1,161,230 in school capital funds for renovation of the Heritage High School auditorium; $343,400 in highway capital funds for engineering and right-of-way acquisition for a flat grant project, with no matching funds required; and acceptance of a $313,170.22 state special-education preschool grant, also with no match required. Highway staff said 14 roads totaling 19.3 miles were prepared for paving and agreed to provide commissioners with project lists. The workshop also advanced an ambulance-services resolution with amendments addressing non-emergency transport; the discussion focused on service standards and preserving provider access, with the amended motion passing 14–4.

Public comment focused heavily on Flock automated license plate reader cameras and privacy concerns. The commission advanced a resolution calling for a public hearing on the technology (18–1); members discussed inviting the Sheriff’s Office and vendors to present, and the transcript states the existing contract expires November 27, 2028. The hearing proposal does not itself ban the cameras. Commissioners also advanced resolutions for consideration by the full commission concerning a 12-month development moratorium—with amendments calling for infrastructure and community-facilities analysis—and a temporary moratorium process and impact study for advanced computing and data-center development; neither was described as a final moratorium taking effect at this workshop.