JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
During its first meeting of the year, Marion County’s Board of Mayor & Commissioners (BoMC) voted down a proposed resolution which sought to allow the governing body the authority to vote on subdivision regulations already approved by members of the planning commission.
As the discussion commenced, Commissioner Ruric Brandt stated during a past meeting regarding subdivision regulations, County Attorney William Gouger brought up state statute TCA Section 13-3-403 C2B, which stated that the county commission was given full authority to approve both subdivision regulations and amendments already passed by the local planning commission, essentially granting the BoMC control to either pass or vote down regulations and amendments already approved.
“That’s what this resolution essentially does,” explained Gouger. “It opts Marion County into that law.”
Chairman Chris Morrison shared his thoughts regarding the resolution, stating he felt granting approval of regulations to both the planning and county commissions is a redundant route for the board to go. Commissioner Don Atkins added on and expressed how the resolution outright undermined general trust towards the planning commission and it’s abilities to officially approve various property regulations.
“I think these folks have had a great disservice done to them,” said Atkins. “There’s been accusations of corruption and bribery made by people sitting on this county commission, and I will not vote for taking any of that authority away from those people who give up their time.”
In a majority vote of 12-2, the resolution was turned down and dismissed by the BoMC, with Commissioners Brandt and Paul Schafer being the only two members to vote for its approval.