Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cocke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
45 issues
Election Certification
A tie between two in-laws for the final Parrottsville commission seat has been certified in Cocke County, so the winner could be decided by a coin flip or card draw. That means one local race is now down to chance rather than votes.
County Election Results
Cocke County's November 2026 election results are in, and the winners will now control county budgets, roads, and local policy for the next term. That means the people making decisions about your taxes and services are officially set.
Election Tie
Two in-laws in Parrottsville are deadlocked at 38 votes each for the same local commission seat, so a recount or coin flip could decide who represents you. It’s a tiny margin with real consequences for local representation.
Donated police SUVs for sheriff's office
The sheriff's office is getting four used K-9 patrol SUVs free from the Fitzgerald Police Department, each with plenty of life left.
Countywide zoning controversy
Zoning remains a hot topic. Residents asked for a balanced committee to work on amendments, and Bright's push to put zoning on the ballot was tabled while state law is checked.
Commercial rezonings in Cosby and Parrottsville
Two properties were rezoned to C-2 Commercial: 1880 Hartford Road in Cosby and 2331 Happy Hollow Road in Parrottsville, opening them to commercial development.
Economic development and tourism
The REO grant was rebid and contracts signed, with work expected to finish mid-December. The Overmount rally filled every hotel in the county, and a street festival is set for October 3-4.
Jail financing and the $70 million bond question
The county is clearing the way for a possible new jail by not renewing the lease on the Jack farm south of the industrial park, avoiding conflicts with crops or tenant investment before groundbreaking.
Hurricane recovery and bridge repairs
EMA Director Joe Esway walked commissioners through his 200-page after-action report on the Helene response — far longer than typical — and said many fixes are already in place. A revised county emergency operations plan will come in September or October.
Pigeon River rafting threatened by I-40 construction
Rafting interests say I-40 work is channelizing and shallowing the Pigeon River, possibly making sections unrunnable. Commissioners approved $50,000 from rafting fees for an engineering plan, with the state chipping in about $80,000.
Wastewater service for Cosby, Hartford and Wilton Springs
The ARPA-funded Cosby High School sewer project is ahead of schedule after breaking ground in November, with completion due by September 30. About $277,000 of the roughly $4 million project has been paid to date.
Contaminated well water on Sparks and Good Hope Roads
A resident says eight households' wells tested positive for coliform and E. coli — one child was hospitalized — and Hurricane Helene damage made it worse. Running a water line would cost about $153,000 plus taps, and grant funding can only be sought by the county and partners, taking 4-6 years. She asked to return on the September agenda to pursue TDEC and USDA emergency water grant options.
Speeding and cut-through traffic in Cosby
Residents petitioned for more traffic enforcement on Stone Group Drive and Indian Camp Creek, where drivers cut through and blow four-way stops. A public safety meeting was called.
Proposed French Broad River boat ramp and park
A land conservancy may donate nearly an acre near Del Rio for a public put-in, possibly pre-staging swiftwater rescue gear. No vote yet.
Landfill-adjacent property timber
Commissioner Templin wants to put county-owned land next to the landfill out for grass bids to be logged.
FY2026-27 budget and flat tax rate
The county budget keeps the tax rate at $1.4993 and gives employees a 3% raise starting January. Two commissioners voted no.
Zoning amendments threatening Meat Jack and small businesses
County zoning amendments would have redefined slaughterhouses and removed meat processing from agricultural zones — John Hope of the Meat Jack says he'd lose grandfathered status. Commissioners sent the changes back to the planning commission and many said the whole zoning framework needs rework.
Veterans flag salute project
A nonprofit aims to give 2,339 Cocke County veterans an American-made 20-foot flagpole and flag, with ceremonies and fundraisers underway.
Smoky Mountain Innovation Park and economic development
The industrial park is getting a $2 million sewer line (no local match) plus final design for three-phase power, broadband, street lights, and water — about $4 million total funded without local taxpayer dollars. Marketing is underway with a June-July timeline.
Lithium-ion battery fire safety
A recent fire near the landfill at a scrap metal facility may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery, prompting public safety coordination with fire departments, EMS and the EMA director. The hospital, a major battery user, is working on a shelter-in-place plan.
Rezoning 1692 Deerwood Road to commercial
After a public hearing with no speakers, the commission approved changing the Deerwood Road parcel from residential to general commercial zoning, following the Planning Commission's recommendation.
County Elderly Tax Match Program
The county is adding a $50 match to the state's property tax relief for low-income elderly residents, helping roughly 925 households. The sponsor hopes to grow it to $100 in future years, but the state amount won't be known until September, so a flat rate was chosen for easier budgeting.
Federal appropriations and FEMA flood recovery
The county is still fighting to get federal reimbursement for disaster-related costs. FEMA has officially received the county's appeal, with a decision expected in roughly 80 days, and state and federal senators are pushing at the highest levels.
One-year moratorium on data center facilities
The county hit pause for one year on data centers, crypto mining and battery storage facilities while it studies their huge energy and water use, noise and few jobs. Officials noted Knox County passed a similar rule and that zoning rules — not outright bans — are the legal tool to manage them.
Lithium battery disposal
The Public Safety Committee will hold a special meeting June 2 at 5:30 p.m. on lithium battery disposal, with fire departments, ambulance service, and rescue squad invited.
County attorney contract length
Residents pushed back on a proposed four-year contract for the county attorney, arguing it would tie the hands of the incoming administration. The commission amended it to two years, 11-3, and the attorney said he was fine with that.
Bike trails and Innovation Park development
The Hogstop Bike Trail environmental work is 75% done with the Forest Service now involved at no fee, and the Smoky Mountain Innovation Park pad is finished with utilities design underway — all funded by grants, not local taxpayers.
Highway department temporary offices
The highway department got a one-year lease extension while its building is rebuilt; architects are procured and drawings underway, with FEMA-related grading requirements to be confirmed.
First responder wellness program (Hope Nation)
The county's budget investment in first-responder mental health filled all 20 treatment slots, cut psychological trauma symptoms by 78%, and spun off a $25,000 grant to support schoolteachers starting in the fall. County officials want to continue the partnership.
CDBG food insecurity grant closeout
The 2023-era food insecurity grant closes in June. Rather than returning leftover contingency funds to the federal government, the commission directed them to the Boys and Girls Club's refrigerated food truck.
County grants program
Active grants total $19 million with only $116,000 in matches, and over $42.5 million in grants have been closed out, are active, or are pending. Staff praised grants administrator Joni for her workload.
Second new fire engine sought through CDBG grant
The county's retired 1979 fire engine goes to the Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department for parts instead of the scrap yard — keeping the equipment working for county fire coverage.
Workforce development programs
The workforce board runs job fairs, youth employment, and reentry training grants — including excavator training for people coming out of incarceration. Cocke County's labor force participation sits at 50.3%, well below neighboring Sevier County's 66.2%.
Opioid abatement funding
FY 2027 opioid abatement money goes to recidivism reduction, the public defender, recovery ministries, and county finance. The pool shrinks every year as one-time payments wind down, so no new applicants were added this cycle.
Pigeon River economic restoration grant
The county and its partners applied for a $20 million federal EDA grant to restore the Pigeon River, whose visitor numbers dropped from about 250,000 a year to 135,000 last year. State officials helped secure the local match.
Exit 432 water capacity grant
The county is applying for a federal ARC grant to boost water capacity at Exit 432 — with the utilities district covering all matching costs, so no local tax dollars.
Safe haven baby box proposal
Local pediatric representatives want to install a safe haven baby box at the Fairgrounds fire department, giving new parents in crisis a safe, legal way to surrender a newborn. Knox and Gatlinburg have recently installed boxes with babies surrendered.
EMA report release controversy at Freeman Park
A social media post about an incident at Freeman Park led to an EMA investigation of a river safety officer, and the public release of the report has divided commissioners. Some say releasing names exposed the victim; the EMA director says the public demanded answers.
Convenience center phones, cameras, and compactor upgrades
The county is modernizing its garbage convenience centers — new compactors with fill sensors, safety cameras, and now Wi-Fi-based phone service replacing copper lines that have crumbled underground. The phone work cost under $10,000 and was already budgeted.
County audit findings and Comptroller investigation question
The fiscal 2024-25 audit found one issue — a late debt payment caused by a hacking attempt on the county's checking account. The mayor pushed back on skeptics of the state audit and confirmed no county offices are under investigation, though some county-affiliated organizations are.
Bridge-naming procedure
The county now has an official process for naming bridges, adopted after a request to name a county bridge for William Howard Carlisle, a bridge builder who recently died of cancer.
County printers contract
The county extended its copier/printer lease-and-service contract through Sourcewell — roughly $120,000 in equipment covering the courthouse, jail, health department, fire department, and landfill.
Facility leases
Two-year leases keep the Election Commission and the Clerk and Master's office in their current locations.
Landfill/sanitation contract proposal
A proposal from Limitless Solutions for a waste and recycling partnership is on the table, with a Sanitation Committee meeting February 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the mayor's office. Contract negotiations could come in February — residents interested in trash and recycling service should attend.
County budget transfers and school amendments
The commission moved about $215,000 between county budget lines — mostly to highway construction and landfill equipment — and shifted roughly $205,000 in school funds to buy transportation equipment. These are routine housekeeping moves but affect where county dollars go.