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Home›Counties›Hamilton County›Meetings›Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2025-04-02

VOTING SESSION

Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2025-04-02

13 agenda items, 12 approved, 0 rejected.

April 2, 2025

MEETING SUMMARY

Approved

Rejected

Tabled

Total Items

Attendance roll pending

AGENDA & VOTES

FREE PREVIEW

ITEM 1·GENERAL

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

oom, when the following proceedings were held, to wit: -- Present and presiding was the Honorable Jeff Eversole, Chairman. County Clerk Bill Knowles 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 Joe Graham, Commissioner Lee Helton, Commissioner Steve Highlander, Commissioner Warren Mackey, Commissioner David Sharpe, Commissioner Gene-o Shipley, Commissioner Ken Smith, and Chairman Jeff Eversole. Total present - 11. Total absent -0. Also in attendance were County Mayor Weston Wamp, members of his administrative staff, County Attorney Rheubin Taylor, and County Auditor Chris McCollough. Time Code Position 0:20 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 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 Helton introduced Jason Gattis, First-Centenary United Methodist Church, to offer the invocation. Commissioner Helton led in the pledge to the flag. Chairman Eversole called for a brief Legal Meeting with Commissioners, the Attorney’s Office, Mayor Wamp, Chief Operating Officer for the Mayor’s Office, David Roddy, and Special Advisor for the Mayor and Commission, Janie Varnell. Chairman Eversole called the meeting back in order. County Clerk Bill Knowles called the roll of the County Commission, and the…

APPROVED

ITEM 10·INFRASTRUCTURE

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-8 A RESOLUTION FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF A PROPOSAL BY THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONSTRUCT A PROJECT DESCRIBED AS (EAST BRAINERD ROAD) BRIDGE OVER CSX RAILROAD, LM 0.86 IN CHATTANOOGA (IA) ON ROUTE SR-320. Commissioner Chauncey, Chairman of the Roads Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 425-8 and stated the Roads Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Chauncey, seconded by Commissioner Graham, to adopt Resolution No. 425-8. Time Code Position 58:52 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 22 There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

ITEM 11·INFRASTRUCTURE

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chair man Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-9 A RESOLUTION OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, COMMISSION ADOPTING CERTAIN FEES WITHIN THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS, INCLUDING FEES UNDER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT. Commissioner Smith, Chairman of the Finance Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 425-9 and stated the Finance Committee reviewed and recommended approval. Time Code Position 59:45 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 23 ON MOTION of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Beck, to adopt Resolution No. 425-9. In response to Chairman Eversole’s question, Director of Development Services Nathan Janeway stated the fees will only be assessed on new developments. He noted this will not affect a single individual building, and there are no inspections on the road. In response to Commissioner Highlander’s question, Mr. Janeway stated they have completed a preliminary engineering report on the idea of connecting Hilltop Drive to Volkswagen …

APPROVED

ITEM 12·BUDGET

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-10 A RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE PROCUREMENT RULES AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY MAYOR TO TRANSFER ONE (1) SURPLUS VEHICLE TO FIRE REHAB SERVICES IN MARION COUNTY, TN. Commissioner Smith, Chairman of the Finance Committee, provided details regarding Resolution No. 425-10 and stated the Finance Committee reviewed and recommended approval. Time Code Position 1:04:37 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 25 ON MOTION of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Highlander, to adopt Resolution No. 425-10. Commissioner Sharpe expressed his appreciation to Mayor Wamp for looking out for his home county. There were no questions from the audience.

vote

APPROVED

ITEM 13·BUDGET

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Without objection, Commissioner Smith asked for Resolution Nos. 425-11 and 425-12 to be read together. Time Code Position HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 26 RESOLUTION NO. 425-11 A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 GENERAL FUND REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES BUDGETS FOR THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BY $6,400 TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE STATE FIRE COMMISSION PER TENNESSEE CODE 4-24-202. RESOLUTION NO. 425-12 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE GOVERNMENTAL GRANT CONTRACT AND TO ACCEPT REIMBURSEMENT OF $121,198.49 FROM THE TENNESSEE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (TEMA) FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL COSTS RESULTING FROM SEVERE WEATHER ON MAY 8-9, 2024. Commissioner Smith, Chairman of the Finance Committee, provided details regarding Resolution Nos. 425-11 and 425-12, and stated the Finance Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Baker, to adopt Resolution No. 425-11 and 425-12. Th…

vote

APPROVED

ITEM 2·GENERAL

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. TRUSTEE REPORT The Trustee’s Monthly and Excess Fee Report for February 2025 was submitted and made a matter of record. Time Code Position 2:54 3:36 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 4 TRUSTEE UNCOLLECTED DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES REPORT The Trustee’s annual Uncollected Delinquent Tax report for the 2023 levy was submitted as a matter of record. RESOLUTION NO. 425-1 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 Smith, to adopt Resolution No. 425-1. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

vote

APPROVED

ITEM 3·BUDGET

PROPERTY AS REQUIRED BY TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED, SECTION 67-5-

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, Time Code Position 3:44 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 5 “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-2 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A PLAN FOR REAPPRAISAL AS SUBMITTED BY THE HAMILTON COUNTY ASSESSOR OF PROPERTY AS REQUIRED BY TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED, SECTION 67-5- 1601. ON MOTION of Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Highlander, to adopt Resolution No. 425-2. In response to Commissioner Baker, Assessor of Property Marty Haynes encouraged constituents who have questions about their property tax reappraisal to contact their office at 423-209-7990. There were no questions from the audience.

vote

APPROVED

ITEM 4·BUDGET

THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL

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, Time Code Position 4:25 5:09 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 6 “Aye,” Commissioner Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-3 A RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO SODDY DAISY VIETNAM VETERANS FOUNDATION IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS ALLOTTED TO DISTRICT ONE. ON MOTION of Commissioner Mackey, seconded by Commissioner Beck, to adopt Resolution No. 425-3. There were no questions from the Commissioners or the audience.

APPROVED

ITEM 5·BUDGET

($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS

APPROVED

ITEM 6·BUDGET

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Time Code Position 6:47 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 8 Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. RESOLUTION NO. 425-5 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING THE RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT FROM UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE HAMILTON COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. Commissioner Sharpe, Chairman of the Compliance Task Force, provided details regarding Resolution No. 425-5 and stated the Compliance Task Force Committee reviewed and recommended approval. ON MOTION of Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Chauncey, to adopt Resolution No. 425-5. Mayor Wamp stated this resolution was intended to reassign the Risk Management Department from the County Attorney’s office to Human Resources. He noted that after conversations with commissioners, they have developed a better proposal to have Risk Management report to David Roddy, Chief Operating Officer for the Mayor’s office, who has a background in Risk Management. He stated he would Time Code Position 7:30 8…

APPROVED

ITEM 7·BUDGET

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Pass,” Commissioner Mackey, “Pass,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 9. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Total “Pass” votes – 2. Per the Commission’s Rules of Order, any member having announced “Pass” on the first call of the vote should subsequently be called on by the Clerk to vote a second time. Clerk Knowles called the roll of the members, having previously announced “Pass”. Commissioner Highlander announced “Aye” on the second call of the vote, and Commissioner Mackey also announced “Aye.” Total present - 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Time Code Position HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 15 Commissioner Baker stated he would like to introduce a new resolution. There was no objection. LATE ITEM RESOLUTION NO. 425-13 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT OF THE LAW FIRM OF BAKER, DONELSON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ, PC, TO CONDUCT A COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT FOR HAMILTON COUNTY GOVERNMENT AT A COST PROJECTED NOT TO EXCEED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($40,000), TO AMEND THE FY25 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BUDGE…

APPROVED

ITEM 8·BUDGET

DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye,” and Chairman Eversole, “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Commissioner Helton stated he also has a late resolution to present today. He noted that the American Legion generally sends students from East Hamilton High School to Boys State but does not have the funds to send them this year. He noted he would like to appropriate $1,000.00 from his discretionary travel budget to cover their costs. Time Code Position 51:19 52:06 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 18 LATE ITEM RESOLUTION NO. 425-14 A RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO EAST HAMILTON MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL IN THE AMOUNT OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS ALLOTTED TO DISTRICT SEVEN. ON MOTION of Commissioner Helton, seconded by Commissioner Highlander, to adopt Resolution No. 425-14. Commissioner Highlander commended Commissioner Helton for bringing this forward. He stated Boys and Girls State are two outstanding programs. Commissioner Helton stated it teaches high school students about local, county, and s…

APPROVED

ITEM 9·INFRASTRUCTURE

APRIL 2, 2025

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 Graham, “Aye,” Commissioner Helton, “Aye,” Commissioner Highlander, “Aye,” Commissioner Mackey, “Aye,” Commissioner Sharpe, “Aye,” Commissioner Shipley, “Aye,” Commissioner Smith, “Aye ,” and Chairman Eversole, Time Code Position 53:10 53:40 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 19 “Aye.” Total present – 11. Total absent – 0. Total “Aye” votes – 11. Total “Nay” votes – 0. Clerk Knowles requested a new resolution be submitted to the Clerk’s Office for Resolution N. 425-14. Without objection, Commissioner Helton asked for Resolution Nos. 425-6 and 425-7 to be read together. RESOLUTION NO. 425-6 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAMILTON COUNTY AND THE FORGOTTEN CHILD FUND FOR OFFICE AND STORAGE SPACE LOCATED AT THE HARRISON RECREATION CENTER AT 5637 HIGHWAY TN-58, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. RESOLUTION NO. 425-7 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AND EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HAMILTON COUNTY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE FOR OFFICE AND COMMUNITY FUNCTION SPACE LOCATED AT THE J. MERLE CRAWLEY BUILDING, 6183 ADAMSON CIRCLE, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE. Time Code Position 54:56 55:16 HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2025 20 Commissioner Helton, Chairman of the …

APPROVED

Hamilton County Commission Voting Session — 2025-04-02

AGENDA & VOTES

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

APRIL 2, 2025

APRIL 2, 2025

APRIL 2, 2025

APRIL 2, 2025

APPLICATIONS FOR NOTARY PUBLIC POSITIONS, THE BONDS AND OATHS OF

PROPERTY AS REQUIRED BY TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED, SECTION 67-5-

THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL

($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY MONIES, AS

APRIL 2, 2025

APRIL 2, 2025

DOLLARS ($1,000.00) FROM GENERAL FUND TRAVEL DISCRETIONARY

APRIL 2, 2025

DOCUMENTS

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