[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6354404,"mediaKeyId","2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c","parentId",2220055,"title","Local recovery groups press White County for plan to spend opioid-abatement funds; budget committee requests follow-up","audioSeconds",246,"startMs",6614000,"endMs",6860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c&start=6614&end=6860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c/thumbnail_6614000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6354404/White-County/Tennessee/Local-recovery-groups-press-White-County-for-plan-to-spend-opioid-abatement-funds-budget-committee-requests-follow-up","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354404-fc592104768433f4136f3fc75d22c3f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=XmSnf5m4BBjfWdiDrhkcTyHhO6ln7X~Y9eJhiyPXyPOxkd-veJ1ssJ0Gxd-3qLofjxKHntIH9wkLBVPuLHkIsgWKBWDQNuY4BpkfBXVXY9haBOj82XTBB0S9tIC77hYSL22tku6Md8OEme9HaSPfEiLGWyoR-dtJG-cSCX4rY3OWxxcPnSkffr0W4fYgOIrNnySbhaf2VzAS3txKaXP2UaGseg5GsUJFqeUVqGT-982u~LwO-55HNm6MQ~FgXCaOz65NU4tH-PTYDsCWgiLjXgXGAnbzHYJsS8FshsZTEqj5YuM2RHjMpoEQZwle~S7C~ocQs9niCX7GU7QKA6V63A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","White County, TN","date","2025-01-06T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives from local recovery and prevention groups urged White County's budget committee to move faster in allocating opioid-abatement funds that the county has received through nationwide settlement distributions.

Tina Lomax, executive director of Seeds of Hope and president of the White County Anti-Drug Coalition, told the committee that White County has received two distributions (one cited as $138,834.73 in 2023 and another $137,278.03 in 2024 in the speaker's summary) and that the money is intended for a range of opioid-related responses including prevention, treatment, harm reduction, recovery supports and related training.

Lomax asked for clarity on how the funds will be spent and urged officials to form a cross-sector group of nonprofit providers, judges, law enforcement and health partners to develop spending recommendations. Committee members agreed that the money should be used for programs that address local needs and discussed forming a subcommittee to translate state guidelines into local programs.

Why it matters: Opioid-abatement funds are a multi-year resource tied to litigation settlements and can support prevention, treatment and recovery services. Community providers said the county should move deliberately but quickly to get services started, noting that some programs require upfront funding before other grants or reimbursements are available.

Details and next steps: The budget committee asked staff to provide written guidance on the state and litigation-derived funding rules and to convene stakeholders for a planning discussion before the committee's next meeting. Lomax said her organization plans to supply more detailed proposals for respite beds and a navigator position that could use abatement funding to provide immediate, local support for people exiting overdose or facing homelessness.

Provenance: The request and committee response are recorded in the budget meeting transcript where memorialized distribution amounts and the speaker's suggested uses were discussed; budget staff agreed to follow up with written guidance and convene a planning group.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee Meetings 2025-01-06","oneSentenceSummary","Seeds of Hope and the White County Anti-Drug Coalition asked county budget officials to accelerate planning for opioid-abatement funds; the budget committee asked staff to provide program guidance and convene a stakeholder group to develop recommendations.","taxTitle","White County, Tennessee","taxId",73494,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354409,"White County committees debate permit-fee changes and approve short-term hire for building inspections",1058,3196000,4254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c&start=3196&end=4254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c/thumbnail_3196000.jpg","/articles/6354409/White-County/Tennessee/White-County-committees-debate-permit-fee-changes-and-approve-short-term-hire-for-building-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354409-8a114948a5936db70ffae717dd05e131/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=ldIBsHsbhJmYjPWtAw1NX3L3S-0xz0qidOPLMsXQ3DrwJ~YNzbUDoasbB3FJUER4wbEIrEhPxWVupsFAoK5WKY1HgppElE6EQxsHPCO26sbkHwuQ2uWKcgOjQoQCtiXvoRvk1BGf96DeOLcNs1KEuK74iyzaQc7wTkB6aRcNh37zG9pHu7ojtB34HekbQgW1ulpBjUWn4uZKcFOBllB~JsOa5KS8dinIxuPzan8y9tqhVSv3Pt~nkUj0SfY-l81yVbXkOt~oo~lPhm67mL53-yfe~PB19f08G7UD89vUnrGkP6op9iM8lJnKKau0sqWGPDRYr99ba8ft03081jBQEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","White County officials discussed changes to the county's building-permit fee schedule and agreed to steps to add staff to the building codes office while the fee schedule is reevaluated.

Committee members described inconsistencies in how applicants report estimated construction costs and proposed moving to a square-foot cost basis tied to an ICC schedule (committee discussion referenced a 2012 vs. 2018 ICC fee schedule). Staff said changing the fee basis could significantly raise permit revenues for large projects: one example given compared a permit of $631 under the current schedule to roughly $1,400 using an updated 2012-derived schedule for the same 1,200-square-foot house.

In follow-up, the budget committee approved a motion to hire an additional certified building codes inspector and allocated up to $25,000 from current funds to cover the hire through June (the approach is intended to give the office immediate capacity while a fee-study and budget review proceed). The budget committee also recommended sending a fee-structure proposal back to Committee B for further review; a later committee motion instructed staff to recommend \"$1 per square foot\" as a simple benchmark to take to Committee B for legal review and public discussion.

Why it matters: Building permit fees and staffing affect local land-use oversight, inspection turnaround times and infrastructure planning. Officials said current staffing leaves the county vulnerable if the lone inspector is out sick or on vacation and that updating fees could help cover ongoing staffing needs.

Details and next steps: Staff will return to the budget committee with a detailed breakdown of projected revenues and the legal steps required to adopt a new fee schedule. The hiring authorization covers a short-term appropriation to bring another inspector on immediately; a permanent position and formal fee changes require full-court approval in the budget process.

Provenance: The codes and fee discussion and the short-term hire appear in committee meeting transcripts where staff cited ICC-based schedules and committee members moved to send fee-review items back to Committee B and to approve short-term staffing funding in the budget committee.","Commission committees debated moving to a revised ICC fee schedule and recommended a fee-change study; the budget committee approved funding up to $25,000 to hire an additional building/codes inspector through June while the fee schedule is reviewed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354412,"Volunteers press White County for animal-shelter staffing and policies; budget committee agrees to match city spay-and-neuter funds up to $5,000",810,4350000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c&start=4350&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c/thumbnail_4350000.jpg","/articles/6354412/White-County/Tennessee/Volunteers-press-White-County-for-animal-shelter-staffing-and-policies-budget-committee-agrees-to-match-city-spay-and-neuter-funds-up-to-5000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354412-7f4b08a621c3a3d668e72b85cac2d048/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=Bg2L8WdgR5HojAwQw-uUc83NFEWDD1zsHtOX-sPZ3v~OF4rKRjyQC98pO0WESOpM37iwUe43qq08rTE6saAGlWJ2He7Nab2Wek-ovCcwEEwdSmOgnnZPoHJxPvKSXv7v~-f7i9954wgg6Qi3TqVASVbepqFu58u-97wFv89YKW~VsRgKh~3aCtXBNxv9n-ZDGZcjr8qioGUOZ~2Azd-OpTYmqiOph3WREOw49evnVYz-64f6gqfp6Rmcn0NVsPhG9aXScrs2Uv2dbwat76Czjt2Ifs5lNfFrPIOFs2sAqvh70ss8DsYwlvmobXjN9-qu6qnO8k9dSts7RySCxcltnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Volunteers and animal-welfare advocates told White County officials they're concerned about shelter management, long kennel stays and cleaning standards, and they urged the county to adopt updated job descriptions and consider hiring a paid director.

At a committee meeting, volunteers said the shelter lacks a consistent, experienced manager and cited cases in which animal care standards fell short. One volunteer described a routine where she found water bowls contaminated and said the shelter manager was not enforcing basic cleaning routines. The committee advised volunteers to forward draft job descriptions to the county HR director; county staff said HR would review drafts for compliance with Tennessee labor rules and safety standards.

Separately, the budget committee considered a funding request from Friends of White County Animals for spay-and-neuter services targeting community cats. The budget committee voted to match up to $5,000 of a city donation; the match is contingent on the city making an initial contribution. Committee members said the county has in the past split similar grants with the city and that the county's contribution would be paid from budgeted funds designated for animal services.

Why it matters: Volunteers and residents said long shelter stays and inconsistent management hurt animal welfare and undermine public confidence. The county's decisions on job descriptions, oversight and targeted funding will affect shelter operations and community programs such as low-cost spay-and-neuter services.

Details and next steps: Committee members asked volunteers to send draft job descriptions to Jennifer (the county HR director) for review. On funding, the budget committee approved a motion to match the city up to $5,000 to fund spay-and-neuter work, with the match contingent on the city contribution; staff will coordinate details with the Friends group.

Provenance: The volunteer comments and the HR referral appear in the committee transcript where multiple volunteers described shelter conditions and asked for job-description review; the budget committee action on matching funds is recorded later in the budget meeting transcript.","Shelter volunteers told commissioners they lack a steady shelter manager and asked for updated job descriptions and stronger oversight; committees referred proposed job descriptions to HR and the budget committee approved up to $5,000 matching funds for a local spay-and-neuter program contingent on a city contribution.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354417,"White County committees start process to hire parks and recreation director, authorize grant-seeking to cover costs",540,1170000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c&start=1170&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c/thumbnail_1170000.jpg","/articles/6354417/White-County/Tennessee/White-County-committees-start-process-to-hire-parks-and-recreation-director-authorize-grant-seeking-to-cover-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354417-32c4abd22290fae7693d1d8dff54068f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=VEXxkJBJfV~dhC~tZD0xbpYD~S64y2O9-ErLe4J~tPP~S7yozxdujew1jCUUVmHPXdSUPEx~cDyiOuP8oq3pXpustU~Vl7UrFqDeaTJ9gd5H9fsKmHb9a46E4PHlhvIdpaDfP5P8f82WfX8hNUdudmh11BKfesolwIxGL3RMM9BVJVU7JWysWH1~uJ5dyhQesshcTFsgTWOigT4GY2eh5P1UGXcRVBwlt9~IaaI6HCwTMO3Gg6R-NNEO0HIBaYnNFBMcFvKYn8~NefUt7OzERG9U8zR-sVGV9w958kAnqiMoGa1lCsanxWxZEBwFqN2~-gzjL~95~ad9bP24-HEYQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","White County's Parks and Recreation Committee voted to begin the process of creating and recruiting for a parks and recreation director position. The committee approved starting the search for a part-time director who would transition to a full-time director in the next fiscal-year budget, and it authorized the county executive to look for grants that could help pay for the position.

The proposal comes after committee members said parks have seen more activity, including a Frisbee golf course that attracts out-of-state players and other community events. Committee members said the county has a master plan and available grants but lacks staff to pursue applications and to coordinate tournaments, field maintenance and several new programs.

Committee member Derek Cushing (Parks and Recreation Committee member) moved to \"start looking for a part time director now, possibly, and or a full time director\" and to include the role in next year's budget; the motion passed by voice vote. Another motion authorized the county executive, Denny Wayne, to begin seeking grants to help pay for the director position; that motion also carried.

Why it matters: Committee members said the county needs a point person to maintain fields, coordinate tournaments and pursue grants tied to the parks master plan. Members discussed starting the position at the beginning of the new fiscal year (July 1) so the director could begin when the new budget year starts, but several said they preferred to begin recruitment earlier so hiring would not be delayed until late in the year.

Details and procedure: The committee discussed whether to start the position with part-time hours and move to full-time when the budget allows. Staff said existing parks funds might cover a few months of salary if someone could be hired before the next budget cycle. The committee also asked staff to research grant opportunities and the job description and to coordinate with county HR on classification and compliance with Tennessee employment rules.

Provenance: The parks-and-rec discussion and motions appear in the transcript where committee members referenced the master plan, Frisbee golf tournaments and the need for a staff contact to manage events and maintenance.","Parks committee directed staff to begin recruiting for a part-time parks and recreation director with a plan to make the position full-time in the next budget year; the county executive was authorized to seek grants to offset salary costs.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6354422,"White County committee approves applying for convenience-center and tire-recycling grants",0,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c&start=1860&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2220055-011e7a74881b64d90e2ad2c20b5acc8c/thumbnail_1860000.jpg","/articles/6354422/White-County/Tennessee/White-County-committee-approves-applying-for-convenience-center-and-tire-recycling-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6354422-d0a4fc2b1abd669861a063a375ebb9bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174438&Signature=OzZbEuHfIWeQz6A1GIjZrIq6DTkeJVyqEQNAcTvCogeMgolloNu38hzjvMvjvQQ~HpRxtguMUojPu~zS7q7-Pgh1478w61gS1izqNcvKOXRLFzroDQYOmeA4ebhIpB3kEF5cW7PnQ61ZAkyz8ixbTT3wpt73~Hv1rweikPIXqABlAEMj6RJ-IbGHI6zS-L-UdaoJzVITXkWON-dVDrxBtVA10IUM1iGNC7WJB3KNgjsULJH9Q~1B2aHEsfQFd-3BvnPstJqus06jhlGrohkjcbA55aEguE~TJ8NgBS-8RKcVWEisCVpBQv7SaP8Y4tiMbT7fbYGzF5qeBc5Xna2uww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A White County committee voted to allow the county executive to apply for state grant funding to build or upgrade a rural convenience center and separately authorized applying for a tire-recycling grant to relocate and improve the county's tire collection operations.

The committee was told the convenience-center program allows applicants to request up to $125,000; the local match may be determined by a federal economic index and \"may not exceed 50%,\" and officials said White County expects to be in a lower match tier (staff estimated about a 25% local match). The committee then voted to let the county executive pursue the application.

Committee members also approved applying for a tire-recycling grant the presenter described as running \"up to around a half million dollars\" to support a permanent collection site the county needs to relocate. The county has already begun site work for a new collection location, the presenter said, and committee members agreed to seek the grant to help pay construction costs.

Both motions were seconded and approved in committee with the vote announced as \"Motion carries.\" No formal roll-call vote totals were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The two grants would help White County replace or add convenience centers and establish a new tire collection site, improving local waste collection and potentially reducing illegal dumping and environmental risk. The proposed projects require a local funding match and follow state program priorities including replacing unmanned collection systems and establishing centers where service is lacking.

Details and next steps: Staff said the USDA-style economic index (as applied by the grant program) will determine exact local-match levels and that the county will not commit to final construction until staff return with firm cost estimates. If awarded, the county would need to notify the state whether it accepts grant terms and the required local match.

Provenance: The committee discussion and motions appear in the meeting transcript where staff described program limits and priorities and committee members moved and seconded the grant applications.","Committees authorized county staff to apply for a convenience-center grant (up to $125,000) and a tire-recycling grant (up to roughly $500,000) and agreed to pursue available matching funds; approvals were unanimous in committee votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local recovery groups press White County for plan to spend opioid-abatement funds; budget committee requests follow-up

White County committees debate permit-fee changes and approve short-term hire for building inspections

Volunteers press White County for animal-shelter staffing and policies; budget committee agrees to match city spay-and-neuter funds up to $5,000

White County committees start process to hire parks and recreation director, authorize grant-seeking to cover costs

White County committee approves applying for convenience-center and tire-recycling grants