A recent meeting of the Hamblen County Finance Committee culminated in the approval of a change order for the future Hamblen County Health Department Complex. The change order, amounting to $3,483, aims to fund an equipment operator and address cleanup needs at the site of the old Food City store, specifically where coolers had previously been installed. This approval precedes a broader discussion regarding the county’s contract procedures.
County Mayor Chris Cutshaw explained that the funds would cover necessary repair work on the floor, stating, “It was presented to us before, but this is the actual change order.” The committee unanimously voted in favor of the measure, passing it with a 10-0 vote for consideration by the full County Commission on January 22.
Following the vote, the committee engaged in an open discussion led by Cutshaw and Commissioner Thomas Doty. The focus shifted to the longstanding interpretation that allows the county mayor to approve smaller contracts with terms of less than one year without prior commission approval. Doty highlighted that this practice has been a long-standing procedure, allowing the mayor to sign short-term contracts and later notify the commission.
“It’s been the County Mayor’s prerogative,” Doty noted, emphasizing that this protocol predates both Cutshaw and many current commissioners. He expressed his belief that there should be supporting documentation for the ongoing practice, stating, “It’s been done, and done, and done.”
Cutshaw confirmed that when questions arose about this procedure, the county sought guidance from the County Technical Assistance Services. Their consultation indicated that while there is nothing in the Tennessee Code expressly permitting such actions, there is also no prohibition against it. Both officials acknowledged that this practice extends back two mayoral terms prior to Cutshaw’s administration.
As discussions unfolded, some commissioners voiced concerns about the potential for micromanagement of the mayor’s office. Doty proposed that the committee issue a vote of “good faith,” recognizing that the County Mayor has been adhering to established county protocols. He, alongside Commissioner Rodney Long, emphasized the necessity of trust in allowing the mayor’s office to operate effectively on these short-term contracts.
In response, Cutshaw expressed openness to reevaluating the county’s operational procedures. “Moving forward, we can change how we operate,” he stated. “I don’t have a problem with that, not at all.” The matter is set to be discussed further at the upcoming County Commission meeting on January 22.
This dialogue highlights the ongoing evolution of governance in Hamblen County and the balance between oversight and operational efficiency. As the county navigates these procedural discussions, the implications for future contract approvals and administrative practices remain significant.
