A discussion by the Hamblen County Finance Committee led to the approval of a change order for the future Health Department Complex located on Buffalo Trail. The committee unanimously approved the change order amounting to $3,483. According to County Mayor Chris Cutshaw, these funds will cover the costs of hiring an equipment operator and the cleanup of concrete and rebar from the previous Food City store, where coolers had been situated.
“This is for repair work in the floor,” Cutshaw stated. “It was presented to us before, but this is the actual change order.” The measure passed with a vote of 10-0 and will be presented to the full Commission during its meeting on January 22, 2024.
Following the vote on the change order, the committee engaged in an open discussion regarding the procedure for county contracts. Cutshaw and Commissioner Thomas Doty were prominent voices in the conversation, which centered around the established practice that permits the county mayor to approve smaller contracts—those with terms of less than one year—without prior approval from the commission.
Doty highlighted the historical context of this procedure, indicating that it has been in place for several administrations. “It’s been the County Mayor’s prerogative,” he noted, emphasizing that this practice predates both his tenure and that of Cutshaw. “I’ve always felt there were supporting verbiage for this because it’s been done, and done, and done.”
When questions arose regarding the legality of this procedure, Cutshaw confirmed that the County consulted the County Technical Assistance Services. This consultation revealed that while there is nothing in the Tennessee Code explicitly permitting such actions, there is also no prohibition against them. Both Doty and Cutshaw acknowledged that this practice dates back to at least two previous county mayors.
Although there were suggestions to increase oversight of the mayor’s office, several commissioners voiced their concerns about micromanaging the executive branch. Doty proposed a vote of “good faith” to affirm that the County Mayor was acting within established protocols. He and Commissioner Rodney Long emphasized the necessity of trust in allowing the mayor’s office to manage these short-term contracts effectively.
Cutshaw expressed his willingness to adapt if the county decides to change its operational procedures. “Moving forward, we can change how we operate,” he remarked. “I don’t have a problem with that, not at all.” The commission is set to deliberate further on this matter during its upcoming meeting.
