Blount County Board of Commissioners | 07-16-26

The Blount County Board of Commissioners held a meeting on July 16, 2026, where significant procurement and budget discussions took place. Key agenda items included the approval of an $8 million budget increase to enter into an agreement with the Industrial Development Board for the purchase of the Alcoa South Plant property, which involved environmental assessments and a brownfield agreement to mitigate liability risks. The commission also approved a $5 million contribution toward the right-of-way acquisition for the Pellissippi Parkway Extension, a project that generated substantial public debate due to concerns about funding, land acquisition, and long-term benefits. Additional budget resolutions were adopted to support various county departments, including grant applications for the Blount County Sheriff's Office totaling over $1.6 million, opioid fund appropriations for a substance use treatment facility, and maintenance and repair projects for county facilities. Public input featured extensive community opposition to the Pellissippi Parkway Extension and the use of Flock license plate reader surveillance cameras, highlighting privacy and civil liberty concerns. The meeting concluded with several procedural votes and announcements regarding upcoming committee meetings and public input sessions.