Bradley County Commission meeting recap

The Bradley County Commission met yesterday.

The Commission passed a resolution officially sanctioning the Bradley County America 250 Committee and authorizing the county to receive and distribute state funds for the celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, which will take place in 2026.

Finance Committee Chairman and 3rd District Commissioner Milan Blake made a motion to set the 2025/2026 budget calendar. The timeline considers that property tax reappraisals will need to take place.

A new certified tax rate will be set in conjunction with the Assessor of Property’s Office at the June 27 voting session, which takes place at 12 p.m.

The commission will also approve the budget and handle amendments during the meeting.

The resolution also called for the cancellation of the June 23 work session and July 7 voting session.

The proposed budget calendar was approved 14-0.

Blake also proposed a resolution authorizing a continuous four-year reappraisal cycle and memorandum of understanding. The motion passed 14-0. 

The commission also discussed the current Urban Growth Boundary Plan between the county, the City of Cleveland, and the City of Charleston. According to state law, if the three bodies cannot agree upon a plan, a state judicial panel will determine the growth boundary for the community.

The Bradley County Growth Policy Coordinating Committee is scheduled to meet this Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Bradley County Courthouse. Public hearings will also be held on March 6 at 4 p.m. and again on March 13 at 6 p.m. at the Bradley County Courthouse.

The Commission will then need to consider the proposal from the committee. According to County Attorney Crystal Freiburg, the County Commission can either approve it or reject the plan and send it back to the committee. Freiburg said there is not a timeline imposed on the County Commission to approve a proposal, however, one of the other bodies- the City of Cleveland or the City of Charleston could declare that the bodies are at an impasse and ask the state to intervene.

Fourth District Commissioner Howard Thompson proposed a resolution amending the Bradley County Beer permit application procedure to forbid the sale, storage, and manufacture of beer and similar beverages for consumption off-premises within 185 feet of schools, churches, and other public gathering areas. The resolution would make the distance the same as that in the City of Cleveland. Currently, the distance in the county is 750 feet.

A motion was made to table the motion by 2nd District Commissioner Louie Alford. The motion to table passed 10-4. The issue will now be explored by the Legal and Legislative Committee. 

The Commission will next meet for a Work Session on Monday, Feb. 24, at 7:00 p.m.