Members of the Bradley County Quorum Court approved a resolution last Monday authorizing a letter of credit for the county landfill and heard updates on county finances, road projects and other ongoing county business.
Bradley County Medical Center COO Leeanna Williams opened the meeting by stating the hospital’s 75th anniversary celebration went very well and thanked all involved. She also noted that twelve students participating in the MASH program would be conducting activities at the hospital throughout the week, including a trauma reenactment scheduled for Friday afternoon.
The court approved the meeting minutes, treasurer’s report and sheriff’s report before moving into old and new business.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Bradley County landfill. McKinney explained that state regulators now require the county to secure additional post-closure financial assurance for the landfill. The court approved Ordinance No. 2026-2 authorizing the procurement of a $117,596.91 letter of credit for the landfill and allowing the county to pledge the Bradley County Services Building as security for the credit.
McKinney expressed frustration with delays in obtaining state approval to open a newly constructed landfill cell. He said testing and certification of the cell took several months longer than anticipated and that changing regulatory requirements contributed to the delays.
The county judge also addressed questions regarding the temporary suspension of landfill access for the City of Warren. McKinney said the decision was made to preserve available landfill space until the new cell could be opened.
“We were trying to protect the county landfill and make sure we had enough capacity to continue operations,” McKinney told justices of the peace.
McKinney reported that the county plans to resume placing waste in the newly approved landfill cell immediately following approval of the resolution.
The judge also discussed ongoing issues with the county tire collection program after a contractor responsible for hauling waste tires ceased operations. Hundreds of tires remain at collection sites throughout the county, and county crews are working to address the situation.
The court approved the appointment of Eddie Raines as the school representative to the county equalization board after receiving recommendations from Hermitage School District.
McKinney also informed the court that he would like to gauge public interest in selling the approximately 26 acres of county-owned property located on the Warren Bypass. The property was originally purchased as a potential site for a future county jail.
Under the proposal approved by the court, the county will place a sign on the property inviting interested parties to contact the county judge’s office. McKinney emphasized that the action does not place the property up for sale but simply allows the county to determine whether there is interest in the tract.
The discussion came amid broader concerns about county finances. McKinney reported that county revenues are currently lagging behind the previous year while expenses, particularly insurance costs, continue to increase.
“We have to be looking six months and a year down the road,” McKinney said. “Inflation and rising costs are affecting every part of county government.”
The court also accepted the resignation of Justice of the Peace Jimmy Sledge, who announced he is moving outside District 4 and therefore can no longer serve on the quorum court. Sledge has served on the court for over twenty years. “It has been a pleasure to serve,” he said.
Members approved Resolution No. 2026-1 declaring a vacancy in the District 4 position. The vacancy will be filled according to state procedures.
With no further business, the court adjourned. The next Bradley County Quorum Court meeting will be Monday, July 20, at 6 p.m.
