HB557 Summary

• Converts Blount County Commission from a district system to a unit system effective November 2022, with commissioners serving four-year terms as part-time positions elected by single-member districts.

• Establishes a full-time, countywide-elected Chair of the Blount County Commission with a six-year initial term, responsible for fiscal management, oversight of county administration, and economic development.

• Requires the county to employ a qualified professional engineer to supervise all road, highway, bridge, and ferry maintenance and construction on a county-wide basis without regard to district lines.

• Mandates annual adoption of a County Transportation Plan by December 31 each year and maintenance of a recommended Five-Year County Transportation Plan that is equitable to each commission district.

• Requires approval by majority referendum vote of Blount County electors in conjunction with the 2020 general election for the act to become operative.