The Overton County Commission approved a package of budget and grant actions, awarded opioid-disbursement grants to local organizations and confirmed a temporary 9-1-1 board replacement.

On motions moved and seconded by members of the commission, the body approved school budget amendments and school quarterly reports, authorized the county to apply for multiple grants, approved opioid committee disbursements totaling $138,000, and confirmed Ralph Robbins to replace Lee Richards on the 9-1-1 board for April 2025 through September 2026.

Details of the vote and approvals include:

- School budget amendments and reports: The commission approved several school budget amendments across multiple funds (General Purpose Fund 01/1941 revision numbers and Federal Projects Fund 142 amendments) and accepted quarterly reports ending Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, 2024. A motion to approve the school budget amendment was made by Commissioner Donna Savage and seconded by Philip Talley; the clerk conducted a roll call and the motion passed.

- Tennessee Department of Health playground grant: The commission approved applying for a Tennessee Department of Health grant for up to $80,000 with no local match to purchase playground equipment for the Monroe Community Center. Meeting minutes show the budget committee had approved the application; Commissioner Donna Savage moved the motion and it passed by roll call.

- Brownfield grant application: The commission approved applying for a Brownfield grant program that officials said has three phases. Staff described an identification phase that can provide up to $20,000 to identify possible sites across the county and additional phases (phase 1/phase 2) that can together provide up to $100,000; staff said the total available would be up to $120,000 with no local match. Staff noted the $20,000 identification funding does not require county ownership of a site; later phases may have ownership or other requirements.

- Library hotspot charging-station grant: The commission approved the library's application for a hotspot/charging station grant for $8,960 with a 5% local match. During public comment after that vote, Deb Newkirk, speaking on behalf of the library director, said the grant and a planned open house had been canceled. "That grant has been canceled, because it is now canceled," Newkirk said. The library representative also announced a community meeting on May 1 at 5 p.m. to gather feedback on ADA-related needs for a separate grant effort.

- Panasonic grant for sheriff's office: The commission authorized the Albany County (note: transcript reference) Sheriff's Office to apply for a Panasonic grant for equipment funding up to $300,000 with no local match; the budget committee had previously approved the application.

- Opioid committee disbursements: The commission approved opioid committee grant disbursements totaling $138,000 to local organizations. The transcript lists the Movement Church ($39,150), Highways and Hedges ($39,150), The Hope Center's Ministries ($30,000), and an additional recipient described in the transcript in fragmented form; the commission approved the distribution following the opioid committee's recommendation.

- 9-1-1 board appointment: The commission approved replacing Lee Richards with Ralph Robbins on the 9-1-1 board for April 2025 through September 2026. Commissioner Jeff Long moved the nomination and it was seconded by Philip Talley; the commission approved the change by voice vote and roll call.

- Other routine items: The commission approved an annual progress report (ARP) from solid waste and approved notary commissions including renewals and new appointments listed in the minutes.

Public comment and personnel introductions: A Chamber representative spoke during public comment about economic development and workforce priorities and introduced themselves to commissioners, saying they "look forward to working with y'all" on local development. Separately, the commission introduced Dana Luper as a new council member; Luper said she is an attorney and a native of the area.

The commission did not provide detailed timelines or procurement contract numbers for several of the approved grant applications; staff said they would proceed with applications and follow-up under the budget committee approvals.