Washington County to consider allocating 40 acres of county farm to the highway department, selling a portion

The Washington County Commission will consider two resolutions relating to the county farm and several budget resolutions to the current and upcoming fiscal year at its meeting on Monday. The full commission will also meet in a special called meeting on Monday to discuss a possible tax freeze program for senior citizen residents. County farm Two resolutions on the agenda pertain to the county farm and will be considered by the full commission. A resolution allocating more than 40 acres to the Washington County Highway Department will be presented in front of the full commission. The highway department has occupied a portion of the county farm since 2024 after the flood of Hurricane Helene wiped out its block two location. The old block location is now home to the Washington County Solid Waste department's Lamar Convenience Center. Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy said the highway system is divided up into numbers, or blocks. "They have a division or a piece of property spread around the county in different places so that equipment can mobilize quickly for debris removal [and] snow removal," he said. In addition to this resolution, the full commission will also consider a resolution authorizing the sale of 6.88 acres of the county farm for the purpose of building single-family houses. The county owned property committee accepted a bid on the property on Thursday, June 4 for less than $40,000. Washington County Commissioner Jodi Jones said in the meeting the appraisal for the acreage was $120,000. Both resolutions will go in front of the commission as a recommendation by the county owned property committee. FY27 budget amendments The full commission will consider five resolutions regarding the Washington County budget for both the current and upcoming fiscal year budgets. Two resolutions amending the Washington County Schools nutrition budget and its FY27 general budget. If approved, these amendments will not decrease or increase the budgets. Concerning the current fiscal year, two resolutions will be in consideration to amend the final budget and to adopt revised fund balance projections for the fiscal year ending Tuesday, June 30. Also in consideration is a resolution to authorize the transfer of more than $2.5 million funds from the American Rescue Plan Act special revenue fund to the capital fund projects fund. Other agenda items The commission will consider a total of 16 resolutions at its June meeting. Other agenda items include two memorandums of understanding between the county and East Tennessee State University, a resolution revising the road list and several rezoning resolutions. The full commission will meet at 5 p.m. in courtroom seven of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center for a special called meeting followed by its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday.