Blount County Budget Committee | 06-11-2026

The Blount County Budget Committee held a public hearing and budget workshop on June 11, 2026, to discuss and receive public input on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, including the tax rate resolution, appropriation resolution, and capital outlay resolution. The committee recommended reducing the property tax rate from $1.59 to $1.29, below the certified rate, and emphasized a balanced budget with no new debt. Several budget increase resolutions were approved to appropriate funds for various projects, including highway capital improvements such as upgrading signalized intersections and repairing a swinging bridge, education capital projects like constructing secure entrances and installing guard buildings, and public safety initiatives including funding for a hazardous duty supplemental benefit study. The committee also approved an interfund loan of $4 million from ARPA funds to the debt service fund to manage reimbursement timing. Motions to forward these resolutions to the county commission were passed unanimously, with one item postponed for further contract review. Public comments included inquiries about tax rates and requests for road resurfacing funding, which were deferred to future workshops.