Budget Committee greenlights Jonesborough paving project

The Budget Committee also approved a request from the town Jonesborough for the county Highway Department to do paving work that would tie into East Maint Street, down Franklin Avenue to Spring Street. Town officials say they hope the county coud get the project completed before winter sets in.

How much will new Jonesborough school cost?

Washington County commissioners and Board of Education members gathered in a workshop Monday to talk about school finances and building projects, with the much delayed K-8 school in Jonesborough topping the list.

Representatives of both boards posed similar questions regarding the Jonesborough project.

Washington County Commission approves Christmas bonus for school employees

In a rather uneventful meeting, Washington County commissioners voted Monday to give Christmas bonuses to school employees and dissolve the Boones Creek athletic facility task force. 

Commissioners from Washington, Sullivan counties make history

The joint work session, which is the first such recorded gathering of the two elected boards, was organized by Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable and Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy. Venable called the workshop a “historic meeting,” and said he hoped it would be followed by more such meetings of local government officials.

Boones Creek school construction nearing the end

The construction is expected to wrap up in late May or early June 2019, giving the county school system more than a month to ready the facility for students in the new school year. With a capacity of over 1,100 students, interim Schools Director Bill Flanary said the new school off Highland Church Road will have more than enough space to accommodate students from other schools.

Washington County Commission approves committee assignments

Each of of the 15 members of the County Commission will serve on two of the board’s six standing committees, as well as advisory committees that require a commissioner to serve as a representative.

State law determines what is a conflict of interest

Thomas J. Seeley III, the attorney for Washington County, said Tennessee law is the ultimate determiner of when an elected official has overstepped a professional line. The same is true for county employees, who must abide by state statutes and the county’s personnel handbook when it comes to their on-the-job conduct.

Commissioners to get committee assignments

The full commission will vote on the committee membership recommendations at its regular meeting on Sept. 24. Commissioners will also be asked to confirm County Mayor Joe Grandy’s committee appointments, including those who serve on the county’s Budget Committee.

Matherly re-elected as Washington County Commission chairman

Matherly, who has served as chairman for the last seven years, received 13 of the 14 votes cast for the job. Commissioner Suzy Williams got one vote from Commissioner Kent Harris, who nominated her for the position.

Washington County Commission gets down to business

Greg Matherly, who has served as chairman of the County Commission for the past seven years, said Friday he was still undecided if he will seek the gavel again.

A transfer of power in Washington County

Joe Grandy, a Republican who faced opponents in both a bitterly-contested GOP primary and the Aug. 2 general election, told a crowd of onlookers at the George P. Jaynes Justice Center in Jonesborough he was “absolutely humbled” by their support.

Facelift approved for the Washington County Courthouse

Washington County commissioners voted Monday to spend $1.1 million on a major facelift to the county’s 105-year-old Jonesborough courthouse. The exterior refurbishments to the historic Washington County Courthouse represent the first upgrades to the building since 1986.

Courthouse facelift on agenda for Washington County officials

Commissioners will also vote on additional money to cover key capital projects for county schools, and to consider filing litigation against opioid manufacturers to recoup some of the costs addiction to painkillers has caused to Washington County’s taxpayers.

County leadership changes are on the way

Following a swearing in ceremony on Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 5 of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, county officials will get down to business. A a special-called meeting of the Washington County Commission will be held Sept. 10 to elect a chair and vice chair of the board, as well as appoint members to the Committee on Committees.

Voters decide contested races for Washington County Commission

Incumbent Suzy Williams turned back a challenge from Democratic opponent Dennis Prater and Jonesborough attorney Jim Wheeler defeated former Johnson City Mayor Ralph Van Brocklin to become winners Thursday in two of seven contested races for the Washington County Commission.