November 9, 2026 Committee Meetings

Hamblen County committee meetings, November 9, 2026: The Justice Center Public Safety Committee voted to recommend pursuing Option 2 against Blain Construction, seeking enforcement of the contract, including approximately $397,000 in liquidated damages and additional contractual/architectural fees. The alternative was to release about $536,000 in retainage and waive delay-related claims. The matter remains subject to full County Commission action, and officials noted litigation could carry risk. The committee also approved a resolution allowing the county mayor limited authority over construction change orders, with commission approval required for changes that exceed the specified limits or extend contract time.

Other spending-related actions included approval of school budget amendments: $174,948 from fund balance for energy-efficient schools loan payments, a $5,000 Dollar General youth literacy grant, and transfers within existing grant and salary budgets, including a $63,000 jail budget transfer for lieutenant and sergeant salaries. The Building and Grounds Committee approved moving forward with a CTAS drone-based inventory of county-owned buildings and facilities at no cost to the county. No new competitive solicitations or vendor awards were identified.