Commission advances $8 million Alcoa South Plant purchase; Budget Committee sends $5 million Parkway item to full vote
The Blount County Commission voted 12–3 on July 9 to forward Resolution No. 26-07-001, an $8,000,000 budget increase for debt service and the general fund to purchase the Alcoa South Plant. Five commissioners were absent and one abstained. The same workshop meeting unanimously approved a $73,800 litter grant application, a $27,800 library repair appropriation, and a $4,027.21 health department grant.
Budget Committee recommendations
Earlier on July 9, the Budget Committee voted on several items for referral to the full Commission. The $8,000,000 South Plant purchase resolution was forwarded without recommendation after no second was offered. The committee recommended $5,000,000 for Pellissippi Parkway right-of-way acquisition on a 3–1 vote. All other items passed 4–0:
- $2,154,682.10 in various department reappropriations
- $465,375 for a Substance Use Residential Treatment Facility
- $263,332 for Blount County Library maintenance
- $27,800 for library plumbing repairs
- $4,027.21 State DGA Grant for the Health Department
- $1,575,000 School Security Officer grant application
- $73,800 Litter Grant application
The committee also approved its June 11, 2026 meeting minutes 4–0.
Board of Commissioners agenda (July 16)
The Board of Commissioners met July 16, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda called for votes on Resolution 26-07-001 ($8,000,000 Alcoa South Plant purchase), Resolution 26-07-002 ($5,000,000 Pellissippi Parkway right-of-way), a $1,575,000 grant application for 21 school security officers at $75,000 each, a $73,800 FY27 litter grant, and Resolution 26-07-004 ($465,375 in federal opioid funds for a Substance Use Residential Treatment Facility). Outcomes will be reported once minutes are available.
Public Services Committee (July 7)
The Public Services Committee met July 7 to approve draft minutes from April 7, 2026, hear public comment, and take up three old business items: 2025 Morganton Road, 621 Cusick, and 1120 Chula Vista. No further details on those items were provided in the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.
Veterans Affairs Committee (July 8)
The Veterans Affairs Committee met July 8 to review updates on a VA outpatient clinic coming to Maryville in 2027, new legislation expanding interment eligibility at Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries, the Take Care of America's Veterans Act regarding sleep apnea and tinnitus, the 2027 VA COLA projected increase, and Tennessee Veterans Connect. Minutes have not yet been published.
Technology (IT) Committee (July 16)
The IT Committee met July 16 to approve minutes from April 16, 2025, receive an update from the I.T. Department Director, and set the agenda with public input. Minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
The Blount County Planning Commission meets July 23 to review several subdivision and replat applications, including the Clyde Kidd Estate resubdivision (4 new lots off Old Niles Ferry Road), Anderson Property Lots 1–5 (5 lots along Old Niles Ferry Road), a replat of Lots 1 and 2 Charles Farmer and Ann Farmer Property (4 lots off Huffstetler Road), and a replat of Tracts 4–6 Spurgeon Property (2 lots along Sevierville Road and a remainder over 5 acres). The commission will also review Resolution 26-06-022, which recommends regulation of data centers.