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By Robert Sorrell
Star Correspondent
The Carter County Commission earlier this week approved a landfill closure account, an economic development grant for a potential new hotel and new members for the parks board.
During Monday’s meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the acceptance of a $50,000 grant from the ThreeStar program, which serves to promote economic and community prosperity through collaboration to positively impact every Tennessean.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development provides $50,000 grants to certified ThreeStar counties every other year to be used for economic and community projects. In 2021, Carter County was awarded money for a career and technical education project.
The latest project “is focused on a study for a hotel for our county,” said Commissioner Robert “Bob” Acuff, who introduced the resolution from the Budget Committee.
Acuff also introduced a resolution to establish a reserve account that would be used toward a future closure at the landfill. The plan originally came from the county’s Landfill Committee, and also previously received approval from the Budget Committee.
The plan would allow the transfer of about 50% of all unused and unencumbered funds remaining in the solid waste fund each fiscal year to a new landfill closure account. Funds in the reserve account would later be used for the anticipated costs associated with the closure of the demolition landfill, according to Acuff.
The commission also selected two people to become members of the Carter County Parks and Recreation Board.
Commissioners approved a nomination to name Seth Hice of the Seventh District to the board. After two divisive votes, the commission also approved a nomination for Michael Melton to serve from the Eighth District.
The commission also discussed the resignation of Eighth District Commissioner Cody McQueen, who said health issues led to his decision to leave the commission.
As a result of his resignation, the commission now has 23 members instead of 24.
The commission may have 120 days to select a temporary commissioner for the district, according to County Attorney Josh Hardin, who said he would have to review the process.
A new commissioner could be elected by county voters in August of 2024, Hardin told the commission. The deadline to be elected in May has already passed, he said.