Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cocke County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
18 issues with medium priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.