Know what your county is doing—before it affects you.

Home›Counties›Hamilton County›Meetings›Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2026-01-21

VOTING SESSION

Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2026-01-21

9 agenda items, 9 approved, 0 rejected.

January 21, 2026

MEETING SUMMARY

Approved

Rejected

Tabled

Total Items

Attendance roll pending

AGENDA & VOTES

FREE PREVIEW

ITEM 1·CONTRACTS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 1 STATE OF TENNESSEE ) Regular Meeting COUNTY OF HAMILTON ) January 21, 2026 BE IT REMEMBERED that on this 21 st day of January 2026 at 4:00 PM, a Regular Meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners was begun and held at the Courthouse in the City of Chattanooga, in the County Commission Room, when the following proceedings were held, to wit: -- Present and presiding was the Honorable Ken Smith, Chairman. Chief Deputy County Clerk Brooke Weaver called the roll of the County Commission, and the following, constituting a quorum, answered to their names: Commissioner Chip Baker, Commissioner Greg Beck, Commissioner Mike Chauncey, Commissioner Jeff Eversole, Commissioner Joe Graham, Commissioner Lee Helton, Commissioner Steve Highlander, Commissioner Warren Mackey, Commissioner David Sharpe, Commissioner Gene-O Shipley, and Chairman Ken Smith. Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Also in attendance were County Mayor Weston Wamp, members of his administrative staff, and County Attorney Janie Varnell. Time Code Position 0:15 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 2 Attached hereto is a copy of the Public Notice for this meeting, which was published in a local newspaper and made a matter of record of this meeting. Commissioner Chauncey invited Commissioner Highlander to offer the invocation. Commissioner Chauncey led the pledge to the flag. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ON MOTION of Commissioner Baker,…

APPROVED

ITEM 2·BUDGET

APPLICATIONS FOR NOTARY PUBLIC POSITIONS, THE BONDS AND OATHS OF

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Time Code Position 0:38 1:34 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 3 PROCUREMENT PURCHASE ORDERS REPORT Procurement’s reports detailing purchase orders between $20k and $50k for December 2025 were submitted and made a matter of record. RESOLUTION NO. 126-19 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AND ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR NOTARY PUBLIC POSITIONS, THE BONDS AND OATHS OF NOTARIES PREVIOUSLY ELECTED, AND THE OATHS OF DEPUTY SHERIFFS. ON MOTION of Commissioner Baker, seconded by Commissioner Highlander, to adopt Resolution No. 126-19. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

ITEM 3·BUDGET

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, Time Code Position 2:12 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 4 “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Without objection, Chairman Smith asked for Resolution Nos. 126-27 and 126-28 to be read together. RESOLUTION NO. 126-27 A RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO SALE CREEK HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AMOUNT OF EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS ($800.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS ALLOTTED TO DISTRICT ONE. RESOLUTION NO. 126-28 A RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO SODDY DAISY TROJAN FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($4,500.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS ALLOTTED TO DISTRICT ONE. ON MOTION of Commissioner Highlander, seconded by Commissioner Beck, to adopt Resolution Nos. 126-27 and 126-28. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience. Time Code Position 2:50 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 5

APPROVED

ITEM 4·BUDGET

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 126-20 A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY TO APPLY AND ACCEPT THE 2025 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT WITH THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND THE TENNESSEE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $197,676.95. Commissioner Eversole, Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-20 and stated the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approval. Time Code Position 3:51 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 6 ON MOTION of Commissioner Eversole, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to adopt Resolution No. 126-20. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

APPROVED

ITEM 5·BUDGET

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 126-21 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000.00 OF AWARDED CDBG-CV FOOD INSECURITY GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR LOCAL FOOD BANK PARTNERS, AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO SIGN ANY CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS RESOLUTION. Time Code Position 4:37 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 7 Commissioner Eversole, Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-21 and stated the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Eversole, seconded by Commissioner Graham, to adopt Resolution No. 126-21. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

APPROVED

ITEM 6·BUDGET

$750,000 FROM THE HOTEL MOTEL FUND FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Time Code Position HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 8 RESOLUTION NO. 126-22 A RESOLUTION TO ALLOCATE AN AMOUNT UP TO $750,000 FROM THE HOTEL MOTEL FUND FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET TO SUPPORT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED PROJECTS. Commissioner Eversole, Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-22 and stated the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Shipley, to adopt Resolution No. 126-22. In response to Commissioner Mackey’s question, Mayor Wamp stated the resolution identifies three specific projects: an air service recruitment initiative administered through the Chamber Foundation, a downtown retail recruitment program, and a splash pad project in Lookout Valley. There were no questions from the audience.

APPROVED

ITEM 7·BUDGET

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Time Code Position 5:22 6:07 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 9 Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 126-23 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $350,000.00 FOR SPLASH PAD EQUIPMENT AT JOHN A. PATTEN COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE HAMILTON COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AND AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO SIGN ANY CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS RESOLUTION. Commissioner Eversole, Chairman of the Finance and Budget Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-23 and stated the Finance and Budget Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Shipley, to adopt Resolution No. 126-23. Time Code Position HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 10 In response to Commissioner Sharpe’s question, Mayor Wamp stated Tennessee law requires Hotel Motel funds to be used for tourism-related purposes and explained the County prioritizes projects that bene…

APPROVED

ITEM 8·BUDGET

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 126-24 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LOAN AGREEMENT FOR THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT BY HAMILTON COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT SCHOOLS INITIATIVE AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000). Time Code Position 17:16 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 12 Commissioner Graham, Chairman of the Education Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-24 and stated the Education Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Beck, to adopt Resolution No. 126-24. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

APPROVED

ITEM 9·ZONING

JANUARY 21, 2026

on a Roll Call vote, with the following members of the County Commission being present and voting as follows: Commissioner Baker, “Aye,” Commissioner Beck, “Aye,” Commissioner Chauncey, “Aye,” Commissioner Eversole, “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” and Chairman Smith, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 126-25 A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A NEW COMPLIANCE STRUCTURE FOR HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT. Time Code Position 18:22 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 21, 2026 13 Commissioner Helton, Chairman of the Rules and Legislative Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 126-25 and stated the Rules and Legislative Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Helton, seconded by Commissioner Graham, to adopt Resolution No. 126-25. Commissioner Sharpe spoke in opposition to the resolution, stating the proposed compliance structure did not meet his expectations. He expressed concerns regarding the compliance officer’s lack of independence, the reporting structure under the executive branch, potential conflicts of interest, and insufficient staffing and resources. He stated the resolution would expand executive authority without providing meaningful oversight or accountability and announced he would vote against it. A cop…

APPROVED

Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2026-01-21

AGENDA & VOTES

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APPLICATIONS FOR NOTARY PUBLIC POSITIONS, THE BONDS AND OATHS OF

JANUARY 21, 2026

JANUARY 21, 2026

JANUARY 21, 2026

$750,000 FROM THE HOTEL MOTEL FUND FROM THE FISCAL YEAR 2026

JANUARY 21, 2026

JANUARY 21, 2026

JANUARY 21, 2026

DOCUMENTS

Get every motion, every vote