The Bradley County Commission met last night for a work session. During the meeting, Adam Lewis, Assistant to County Mayor, Gary Davi
The Bradley County Commission met last night for a work session.
During the meeting, Adam Lewis, Assistant to County Mayor, Gary Davis, gave the commissioners an update on several broadband projects in the county.
The first discussed was the 1,006 homes that will have internet access soon in the Chatta Valley area. Volunteer Electric Cooperative has completed the work through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
The White Oak Valley and Mahan Gap area will be the next area completed, which will provide internet to an additional 742 homes.
VEC is also hoping to begin construction soon, in the McDonald area to bring internet to another 860 homes. The engineering studies have been completed and are in the final stages.
The County will also apply for additional broadband grants in October and hope to hear a decision by the Spring of 2024. One area of focus is the southern part of the county.
Spectrum has been able to reach around 700 homes in the Chatta Valley and Benton Pike areas, as well as, the some in the southern part of the county.
Another topic of discussion amongst the commissioners was the recent vote by the Cleveland City Council to proceed with publishing a special notice concerning annexation by referendum and to set a public hearing for Sept. 25 to begin the approval process.
City Manager Joe Fivas said in a recent city council meeting that state law allows annexation beyond the Urban Growth Boundary that is “officially requested” by one or more property owners. The proposed sections would not have to be contiguous with the current city limits.
County Commissioners are concerned and plan to have several county committees explore the implications of such annexation on the county, especially on schools and infrastructure.
Several items were added to the agenda for next week’s voting session including the county adding Bellingham Drive and Wacker Blvd to the County Road list, and allowing the Mayor to enter into a contract with health care providers to assist in therapy for first responders using Opioid Settlement funds.
You can watch the meeting in its entirety, at mixtv. tv.
