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The Hamblen County Planning Commission just greenlit a pivotal variance for mobile home placement on Turley Bridge Road, paving the way for new housing developments!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #HousingDevelopment #CitizenPortal #CommunityPlanning #ZoningReform
Zoning Board Approves Front Setback Variance for Mobile Home at Turley Bridge Road
Board of Zoning Appeals votes to approve variance request for mobile home placement.
citizenportal.ai
October 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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Hamblen County is taking a bold step in the fight against addiction by allocating $200,000 in opioid-abatement funds to empower women through its Jail-to-Work program.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #OpioidAbatement #SubstanceAbuse #CommunityRecovery
Commission uses opioid-abatement funds for jail-to-work program, approves addiction-related grants
Hamblen County commissioners approved moving opioid-abatement dollars to fund the Women's Jail-to-Work program and several treatment and recovery providers, while staff flagged reporting restrictions and limited unrestricted balances.
citizenportal.ai
June 9, 2026 at 7:57 PM
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Hamblen County just approved a groundbreaking economic impact plan for the Merchants Green retail project, promising new jobs and infrastructure improvements without displacing current residents!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CommunityGrowth #InfrastructureImprovements #CitizenPortal
Commission approves tax-increment plan for Merchants Green retail project
The Hamblen County Commission approved an economic impact plan authorizing tax-increment financing for the Merchants Green retail development after the Industrial Development Board and its public hearing recommended approval; developers said no current county tenants will be displaced and parcel IDs are included in the plan.
citizenportal.ai
May 17, 2026 at 4:54 AM
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Hamblen County's Finance Committee has approved crucial changes for the new Health Department, ensuring no extra cost to taxpayers thanks to a state grant!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #GovernmentTransparency #CitizenPortal #ConstructionManagement #PublicHealth
Commission approves multiple change orders for Hamblen County health department; state grant covers added costs
Committees approved a $1,536 change order to add FRP behind mop sinks, a negotiated $10,000 additional charge reduced from $15,000, and converted prior construction change directives to formal change orders; mayor said the state grant covers the costs and work has already been completed.
citizenportal.ai
September 17, 2026 at 11:35 PM
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Hamblen County just scored a $287,404 credit on its Justice Center project, thanks to savvy negotiations and strategic changes!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BudgetEfficiency #GovernmentTransparency
Commissioners approve $287,404 credit change order for Hamblen County Justice Center
Commissioners accepted change order No. 26 for the Hamblen County Justice Center project, presented as a package of contractor credits and value-engineering savings that presenter said reduce costs to the county by $287,404 and leave the contractor contract at about $94.96 million.
citizenportal.ai
August 12, 2026 at 1:34 AM
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Hamblen County is hitting pause on high-intensity electrical-load facilities to tackle safety and infrastructure concerns before it's too late.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #HamblenCountyPublicServices #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #ZoningRegulations #UtilityManagement
Hamblen County adopts request for one-year moratorium on high-intensity electrical-load facilities
The Public Services Committee voted to request an interim one-year moratorium on new high-intensity electrical-load facilities (described in the agenda as data centers) so county staff and the planning commission can develop zoning and infrastructure regulations addressing power, water, noise and safety concerns.
citizenportal.ai
August 12, 2026 at 1:33 AM
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The Hamblen County Commission is torn over a $135,400 grant for Breath of Life Ministry, raising questions about funding duplication while pushing forward with a vote.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #NonprofitSupport #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #TransportationAccess
Commission debates Breath of Life Ministry grant for recovery-court transportation; motion to table fails
Breath of Life Ministry sought a Hamblen County open-abatement grant (application listed $135,400, with $85,000 already funded). Commissioners questioned duplication with ETHERA transportation services; a motion to table the item failed and the commission moved ahead with consideration.
citizenportal.ai
July 26, 2026 at 10:34 PM
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Dr. Tom Hyde has been appointed to fill the vacant District 1 seat in Hamblen County, but his swearing-in comes amid controversy over a pending lawsuit regarding alleged improper payments.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CommunityInvolvement #HamblenCountyCommission
Commission appoints Dr. Tom Hyde to fill Hamblen County District 1 seat
The Hamblen County Commission voted to appoint Dr. Tom Hyde to the unexpired District 1 seat, amid public comments about an ongoing lawsuit over road-commission payments. Hyde was sworn in and pledged to protect taxpayer dollars.
citizenportal.ai
July 26, 2026 at 10:27 PM
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Tom Hyde has officially taken the oath for the Hamblen County District 1 seat, but controversy looms as allegations of improper payments spark heated debate among commissioners.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #PublicTrust
Tom Hyde sworn in to Hamblen County District 1 seat amid dispute over past road-commission payments
The Hamblen County Commission voted to appoint Tom Hyde to the District 1 seat and administered the oath despite public comment alleging he and others received payments for missed road-commission meetings; Hyde said he has offered to make restitution while the matter remains in litigation.
citizenportal.ai
July 26, 2026 at 10:32 PM
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Hamlin County just took a huge step towards enhancing school safety with a $1.35M grant application for resource officers, alongside significant financial and governance changes!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #SchoolSafety #BudgetTransparency
Commission approves $1.35M SRO grant application, banking contract, private-act governance changes and multiple budget amendments
During the June 25 meeting the commission authorized the Hamlin County Sheriff's Office to apply for a $1,350,000 statewide School Resource Officer grant, approved a banking contract with Home Trust Bank, passed private-act amendments affecting the road commission and county attorney selection, and adopted multiple budget amendments and capital project items.
citizenportal.ai
June 30, 2026 at 10:56 PM
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In a heated debate, the Hamblen County Commission rejected a proposal to shift school tax funds to boost sheriff's office salaries, raising concerns about future budget shortages.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #BudgetAccountability #PublicSafety #EducationFunding
Hamblen County adopts 2026-27 tax levy and budget after vote rejects moving school pennies to fund larger sheriff raises
After a contentious public comment period and a failed amendment to move three cents from the school property tax, the Hamblen County Commission approved its 2026-27 tax levy and appropriations. Supporters said shifting pennies would fund bigger raises for deputies; opponents warned of future budget shortfalls.
citizenportal.ai
June 30, 2026 at 10:42 PM
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Hamblen County is on the brink of major changes with plans to abolish the local road commission and set a new retainer for the county attorney—will the full commission approve these controversial measures?

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #LocalGovAI
Commission advances private acts: road commission abolition and county attorney retainer cleared by committee
The finance committee voted on June 15 to advance private acts ratifying the state‑passed abolition of the road commission (effective Aug. 31, 2028) and setting an annual county attorney retainer of $1,200; both measures will go to the full commission for final ratification.
citizenportal.ai
June 17, 2026 at 8:21 PM
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Hamblen County's finance committee just took a major step towards enhancing school safety by approving a $1.35 million grant application for School Resource Officers!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #FinancialTransparency #PublicSafety #EducationFunding
Finance committee approves SRO grant application, bank RFP process and accepts annual debt report
Hamblen County's finance committee authorized applying for a $1.35 million statewide School Resource Officer grant, opened a banking RFP process and accepted an annual debt report showing total county and school debt of $134,535,388 as of June 30, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
June 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM
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Residents in Hamblen County are demanding answers and repayment from road commissioners they accuse of mishandling taxpayer funds!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CommunityInvolvement #CitizenPortal #PublicFinance
Residents accuse commissioners of enabling improper payments tied to private act; officials respond
At the Hamblen County Finance Committee meeting June 15, residents urged commissioners to recover payments they said were improperly paid under a private act and criticized the county for providing legal defense rather than seeking repayment. Commissioners said answers had been provided previously and noted a recent citizen lawsuit recovered $14,900 for the county.
citizenportal.ai
June 17, 2026 at 7:31 PM
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Hamblen County is set to receive a whopping $1.35 million for a new School Resource Officer program, but there’s more on the agenda that could change the future of local governance!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety
Finance committee advances SRO grant application and forwards two private acts to full commission
Hamblen County finance committee on June 15 approved a sheriff’s office application for a $1.35 million School Resource Officer grant, advanced a private act to abolish the road commission and forwarded a separate private act setting county attorney retainer to the full commission for ratification.
citizenportal.ai
June 17, 2026 at 12:37 AM
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Hamblen County's 911 center is facing a funding crisis that could impact emergency response services—are local leaders ready to step up?

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#HamblenCounty #TN #HamblenCounty911 #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #LocalGovAI #PublicSafety
911 center director urges commissioners to reconsider funding after state action left local shortfall
A representative of the 911 center described past county investments, a recent lump-sum payment and high operating costs, and urged the commission to review 911 funding after the governor and legislature left decisions to local governments; commissioners said they funded 911 at last year's level for now.
citizenportal.ai
June 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM
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Hamblen County's budget committee just approved a 5% raise for all county employees, but can one-time funding really solve the looming budget shortfall?

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #EmployeeBenefits #FiscalResponsibility
Hamblen County committee votes 5% across-the-board COLA, shifts school tax pennies and one-time opioid funds to balance budget
The county budget committee approved a 5% cost-of-living adjustment for county employees, moved three 'pennies' from the school property tax, and authorized one-time transfers of $100,000 (semi-restricted opioid funds) and $250,000 (unrestricted funds) to balance the fiscal-year budget ahead of final adoption.
citizenportal.ai
June 11, 2026 at 4:08 AM
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Hamblen County's budget committee made tough decisions, funding volunteer fire departments at last year's level while leaving several nonprofits in the lurch—what's next for the community?

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #CommunityFunding
Commission trims some nonprofit requests, funds volunteer fire departments at prior level
After lengthy debate, Hamblen County commissioners voted to fund volunteer fire departments and a slate of nonprofits with mixed outcomes: some requests were funded at last year’s level, several were cut or denied, and others were funded from opioid money or tabled for further review.
citizenportal.ai
June 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
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Hamblen County just approved a $50,000 boost for a new ambulance, funding it through opioid-abatement funds—what does this mean for local EMS and community safety?

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EmergencyServices #HamblenCountyEMS #HealthcareFunding
Commission provides $50,000 toward ambulance and holds 911 funding at prior level pending review
Hamblen County approved a $50,000 contribution (to come from opioid-abatement funds) toward a new ambulance and voted to fund the Emergency Communications District at last year’s level while staff and the city reconcile the district’s revised budget.
citizenportal.ai
June 9, 2026 at 8:18 PM
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Hamblen County faces a daunting $2.16 million budget gap, yet commissioners have approved a 3% pay raise for most employees and a significant 10% increase for sheriff's personnel to tackle urgent staffing challenges.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #EmployeeRetention
Facing a $2.16M gap, commission approves 3% COLA for most employees and larger pay increase for sheriff's uniformed staff, shifts property-tax pennies to cover:
Hamblen County’s finance director presented a roughly $2.16 million shortfall. The commission approved a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for most employees, a separate 10% pay increase for sheriff’s uniformed/post‑certified staff, and voted to shift several property‑tax pennies from the school allocation into the county general fund to fund the changes.
citizenportal.ai
June 9, 2026 at 7:59 PM
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Hamblen County is taking a bold step to retain its law enforcement officers by approving a significant 10% pay raise for sheriff's-department employees, fueled by a strategic shift in property-tax revenue!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #EmployeeBenefits
Hamblen County approves 10% raise for sheriff’s staff, 5% for other employees funded by property‑tax shift
After hours of debate over staffing and retention, the Hamblen County Commission approved a 10% pay increase for sheriff’s‑department personnel and a smaller across‑the‑board adjustment for other county employees, funding the raises in part by shifting property‑tax pennies from the school allocation.
citizenportal.ai
June 8, 2026 at 10:07 PM
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Hamblen County commissioners are navigating crucial budget discussions that could reshape drug and mental-health court services, backed by significant state and federal grants.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthReform #GrantFundingExpansion #DrugCourtServices
Commission hears updates on drug and mental‑health courts and a federal expansion grant
Presenters told the commission the drug court receives a $103,000 state grant plus roughly $26,300 in participant fees this year; the mental‑health court has a $180,000 state grant with some unspent carryover; commissioners were briefed on a five‑year federal expansion grant funding counseling, IOP and case management across the judicial district.
citizenportal.ai
June 6, 2026 at 11:14 AM
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Hamblen County's drug court is making waves with a $103,000 state grant and participant fees, generating over $26,000 this year alone!

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#HamblenCounty #TN #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthCare #DrugCourtFunding #CommunitySupportServices
Presenters tell commissioners drug court relies on state grant and participant fees; SAMHSA expansion detailed
Penny Knight told Hamblen County commissioners the drug court operates with a $103,000 state grant and participant $1,000 fees, which have generated about $26,300 so far this year; presenters also outlined a multi‑year SAMHSA expansion grant supporting additional personnel and services across the district.
citizenportal.ai
June 5, 2026 at 4:23 AM
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After heated discussions about signage and revenue, the Hamblen County Commission has voted to approve a Class 3 landfill, raising questions about its future impact on the community.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #LandfillApproval #PublicNotice #CitizenPortal #CommunityDebate
Commission approves Class 3 landfill request after debate over signage and revenue projections
After debate over whether public‑notice signage complied with state guidance and about projected revenue impacts, the Hamblen County Commission voted to approve a request to operate a Class 3 landfill; commissioners cited a CTAS opinion that the notice "would pass muster."
citizenportal.ai
May 26, 2026 at 11:50 AM
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Residents in Hamblen County are demanding clarity on ethics after a commissioner used her title at a parole hearing, raising crucial questions about public trust and accountability.

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#HamblenCounty #TN #EthicsPolicy #HamblenCountyEthics #CitizenPortal #TransparencyInGovernance
Residents tell Hamblen County Commission they filed ethics complaint after commissioner spoke at parole hearing; call for clearer rules
Two residents told the commission they filed and reviewed an ethics complaint alleging a commissioner used her official title at an outside parole proceeding, and urged the commission to clarify written standards for when officials may use their titles outside formal duties.
citizenportal.ai
May 26, 2026 at 11:49 AM