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The former Ashe Street Courthouse in Johnson City has been vacant since the county's 911 Emergency Communications District moved its offices to a new location in late 2017. Washington County officials are still deciding what to do with the building.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Finding a new use for the Ashe Street Courthouse

Unless county officials find a new public use for the Ashe Street Courthouse, its ownership will revert back to the federal government, which will likely sell the property at an auction. Grandy said Thursday that is part of “the dilemma” the county now faces because there has been no new use identified for the former courthouse.

Sep 15, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Jonesborough Mayor Chuck Vest joins other members in the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before the start of Wednesday's county Budget Committee. The committee voted to send his town's plan to build a new Jonesborough school to the County Commission when it meets Sept. 23.
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Jonesborough School

Jonesborough school deal to be heard by County Commission

Washington County’s Budget Committee endorsed “in concept” Jonesborough’s plan to build a new K-8 school on Wednesday, and voted to put a still-developing lease-to-own agreement with the town before the full County Commission when it meets Sept. 23.

Updated Sep 12, 2019 at 9:55 AM
The Washington County Budget Committee has voted to send a new resolution to the County Commission dealing with work to athletic fields at the new Boones Creek pre-K-8 school after the one the board passed last month was vetoed by Mayor Joe Grandy. Pictured are committee members Commissioner Freddie Malone (left), Commissioner Larry England, Grandy, Commissioner Jim Wheeler and Commissioner Steve Light,
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Washington County Budget Committee

Mayor vetos commission's action on athletic fields

Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy wants a “do-over” on authorizing $800,000 to prepare athletic fields at the new Boones Creek pre-K-8 school.

Jul 10, 2019 at 6:48 PM
Members of the Washington County Budget Committee review changes to the county's new budget Thursday. Pictured (starting left) are Commissioner Freddie Malone, Commissioner Larry England, Mayor Joe Grandy and Commissioner Jim Wheeler.
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Washington County Budget Committee

County commissioners to hear details of new budget

Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy said the Budget Committee has dealt with the new budget for more than 90 days. He said committee members are now giving other commissioners “an opportunity to ask questions and prepare for Monday night’s vote.”

Updated Jun 20, 2019 at 8:50 PM
Washington County Schools Director Bill Flanary and Brad Hale, the school system's finance director, address the county's Budget Committee on Wednesday. Schools have proposed a $70.5 million budget balanced with reserves.
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Washington County Budget Committee

County school budget includes employee raises

Director of Schools Bill Flanary told the committee the county’s Board of Education has voted to take $1.8 million out of its general fund reserves to balance the budget. He said the new proposal includes $1.1 million to cover pay raises for all employees and a 1% mandated step increase for teachers.

Jun 13, 2019 at 1:00 AM
The Washington County Election Commission is eyeing this former hardware store building — across from the George P. Jaynes Justice Center — at 220 North 2nd Avenue in Jonesborough for its new offices.
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Washington County Election Commission

Election Commission asking for $1.3 million for new offices

Election officials are asking for $975,000 to purchase the building, which sits across U.S. Highway 11E from the George P. Jaynes Justice Center. Another $345,000 would be needed for renovations to the building that formerly housed Olde Towne Hardware.

Jun 13, 2019 at 12:00 AM
Mitch Meredith, Washington County's director of finance and administration, goes over numbers from the county's new general fund budget with Commisioners Freddie Malone and Larry England.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Washington County closer to a new budget

Mitch Meredith, the county’s director of finance and administration, said the new general fund budget contains “no glaring increases” to operating expenses. He said officeholders have “made every effort to reduce costs.”

Jun 4, 2019 at 8:38 PM
Brad Hale, left, Washington County schools budget director, and Bill Flanary, the county's director of schools, speak to the county's Budget Committee on Wednesday. Committee members asked the Board of Education to revise its new school budget.
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Washington County Budget Committee

School budget stalls, Scheme 6 moves to full commission

Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy said limited revenue growth has left the county “struggling” to balance the budget this year, which means it will be “difficult to find additional dollars in the coffers” for schools.

May 9, 2019 at 12:00 AM
County Mayor Joe Grandy, left, and Mitch Meredith, the county's finance and administration director, brief members of the county's Budget Committee on Wednesday.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Which nonprofit should get public funds?

Requests for special appropriations from charitable organizations have been an issue that has vexed county officials for a number of years. Commissioners had at one point decided to phase out funding for these organizations, but Mitch Meredith, the county’s director of finance and administration, said that idea was soon abandoned.

Apr 24, 2019 at 7:36 PM
Alicia Summers, vice president of business development for the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership, presents members of the county's Budget Committee details of a payment-in-lieu of taxes agreement being offered to a German manufacturer.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Budget Committee backs tax deal, takes another month on K-8 school

Washington County is competing with a community in Texas and another county in Tennessee to land the global company, which makes heating and cooling components.

Apr 10, 2019 at 7:04 PM
Washington County Budget Committee members Commissioner Freddie Malone, left, Commissioner Larry England, Mayor Joe Grandy and Commissioner Jim Wheeler at Wednesday's meeting.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Commission workshop planned for Jonesborough K-8

The Budget Committee is looking at dates to hold a workshop to explore the county’s options for funding Scheme 6, the county’s Board of Education’s preferred plan for a new K-8 school in Jonesborough. Committee members said they hope to schedule a workshop involving all their colleagues on the County Commission on March 29 or April 1.

Mar 13, 2019 at 6:41 PM
Members of Washington County's Budget Commttee — Commissioner Larry England (left), Mayor Joe Grandy, Commissioner Jim Wheeler and Commissioner Steve Light — discuss funding options for a K-8 school in Jonesborough at their meeting Thursday.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Budget Committee seeks options to fund school plan

 Earlier, Budget Committee members heard a presentation from Mitch Meredith, the county’s finance and administration director, who said Washington County would need to borrow at least $56.2 million to fund Scheme 6 for the Jonesborough K-8 and related projects. Borrowing that amount would require the county to move 13 pennies of the county’s $2.38 property tax rate from capital projects to debt service.

Feb 15, 2019 at 12:40 AM
Washington County Register of Deeds Teresa Bowan holds an example of a photo identification card she is issuing to veterans who file their discharge papers with her office.
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Washington County Budget Committee

'Thank a Vet' program launches in Washington County

Veterans who participate will be issued a identification card that could earn them as much as a 20 percent discount on purchases from businesses that enroll in the program. Bowman encourages veterans to call her at 753-1644 to learn more about the program, and to get a list of participating businesses.

Jan 16, 2019 at 8:08 PM
Members of the Washington County Budget Committee — Commissioner Larry England, Mayor Joe Grandy, Commissioner Jim Wheeler and Commissioner Freddie Malone — discuss spending requests from the county's Board of Education on Wednesday.
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Washington County Budget Committee

Commissioners to consider TIF for John Sevier Center

The $4.6 million TIF project includes the Johnson City Development Authority’s purchase of the low-income apartment building at 141 E. Market St., as well as cover closing costs and work to make necessary improvements to the former hotel. The JCDA is requesting county commissioners amend portions of the 2008 redevelopment and urban renewal plan to bring it up to date with a state TIF law passed in 2012.

Dec 5, 2018 at 11:33 PM
Washington County's Budget Committee, which includes Commissioner Jim Wheeler, right, Mayor Joe Grandy and Commissioner Freddie Malone, met Wednesday to approve spending items.
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Washington County Budget Committee

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.

Nov 14, 2018 at 5:47 PM
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