BLOUNTVILLE — At its regular session Thursday, the Sullivan County Commission approved a resolution to increase funding for engineering reviews of development plans submitted through the Planning and Zoning Department.
The department had previously budgeted $5,000 for contracted engineering services, but with rising development activity, commissioners approved an additional $12,000 from the general fund to cover completed and expected reviews.
Commissioner and sponsor of the resolution Dwight King said the cost will ultimately be offset by recent fee increases for permitting.
“When a developer brings in plans, those go to an engineer before being signed and approved,†King explained. “This is a user-based cost, the people using the services are the ones paying for it.â€
Commissioner Hershel Glover emphasized the importance of the review process.
“It protects the county from any litigation. If we don’t have this in place and something goes wrong, it puts the county at risk.â€
The resolution passed 17–0, with seven members absent.
The Sullivan County Commission also honored longtime 6th District Constable Henry Price with a proclamation recognizing his decades of service.
Price, who was first elected in 1970 and served as a peace officer through the administrations of multiple U.S. presidents, was celebrated for his lasting impact on the Bloomingdale community and beyond.
Commissioner Zane Vanover read the proclamation, declaring May 31, 2025, as “Constable Henry Price Day,†ahead of his planned resignation at the end of the month.
“Henry was always one to lay down the law, but instead of taking you to jail, sometimes he’d just take you on home,†Vanover recalled. “If it wasn’t for him, a lot of us young Bloomingdale boys probably wouldn’t be where we are today.â€
In 2022, Price was recognized by Gov. Bill Lee as the longest-serving constable in the state.
Also during the meeting, commissioners recognized the 2025 Earth Day Poster Contest winners, a joint initiative of Sullivan County Solid Waste and Sullivan County Schools.
Recycling Coordinator Angie Gilmer and Solid Waste Director Mark Torbett highlighted the renewed focus on environmental education, aided by the recent testing of the county’s new recycling plant.
“The success of recycling rests on education, and who better to partner with than Sullivan County Schools?†Angie said. “This contest was a true collaboration that gave students a creative way to understand the impact they can have on our environment.â€
The contest invited students to design posters around the theme “Make Every Day Earth Day,†and included entries from all grade levels.
Winners included:
- Emmy Lout Eaton from Indian Springs Elementary School
- Madison Bennet from Sullivan East Middle School
- Riley Hicks from Sullivan East High School
Above and Beyond Environmental Stewardship awards were also given to Emmet Elementary, Sullivan Heights and Sullivan East.
Public comment on property tax
Two residents voiced concerns about increasing property assessments and the potential impact on affordability during public comment.
Kenneth Taggart, a Sullivan County resident, said one of his properties saw a 230% increase in assessed value.
“I’m on a fixed income and budgeted around $100 a month for property taxes,†Taggart said. “Now it’s going to double. That’s not just inflation — it’s excessive.â€
Taggart asked the commission why the new tax rate has not yet been set, saying it left property owners unable to fully understand or appeal the financial impact.
“If we’re going to appeal assessments, we should know what the tax rate is. Otherwise, we’re missing half the picture.â€
Cynthia Kessler, representing her family’s rental property business, warned that without a rate reduction, property owners, tenants and small businesses will all feel the squeeze.
“Higher property taxes make housing less affordable,†she said. “Landlords will raise rents, and businesses will pass on costs to customers. It could damage Sullivan County’s economy and competitiveness.â€
