Blount County Government

A County Commission/County Mayor form of government in which 21 County Commissioners make laws governs Blount County. All Commissioners are elected by district and serve four-year terms; the terms are not staggered. The County Commission meets the third Thursday each month at the County Commission room at the Blount County Courthouse. The County Mayor is the Chief Administrative Officer of Blount County.

Other elected County officials include: the County Clerk, Sheriff, Circuit Court Clerk, County Trustee, Register of Deeds, Property Assessor, Highway Superintendent, School Superintendent, General Sessions Judges for Divisions I, II and III; Circuit Court Judges for Divisions I and II, Chancellor, Public Defender, and District Attorney General.

Services include: Tax assessments and collections, county law enforcement and jail, health services, holding elections, maintenance and construction of county roads, keeping official records, providing municipal-type services for the unincorporated areas of the county (such as law enforcement, libraries, and parks and recreation), county school system, court system, veterans’ services, business licenses, marriage licenses, and planning. (Fire protection and ambulance services are available through private companies).

Blount County Contacts

Jerry Cunningham, County Mayor, 865-273-5700
Roy Crawford Jr., County Clerk, 865-273-5800
James Berrong, Sheriff, 865-273-5000
Scott Graves, Trustee, 865-273-5900
Penny Whaley, Register of Deeds, 865-273-5880
Mike Morton, Property Assessor, 865-273-5850
Bill Dunlap, Highway Superintendent, 865-982-4652
Tom Hatcher, Circuit Court Clerk, 865-273-5400
John Lamb, Planning, 865-273-5750
Dave Bennett, Financial Director, 865-273-5710

Blount County Planning Department

The Blount County Planning Department is a division of County government under the County Mayor. The Department provides staff support to the Planning Commission, and general planning services to the County government and the public. The Department reviews subdivision plats, answers development questions posed by the public, provides data services to the public and other County departments, and supports long range planning efforts.

Planning and Zoning

Planning Commission

The Blount County Planning Commission is responsible for planning the orderly development of the county. The Planning Commission has prime responsibility for formulating and administering subdivision regulations. The Blount County Subdivision Regulations set minimum standards for development of lots, roads, and utilities, in order to maintain a level of quality for present and future property owners. The Planning Commission has advisory responsibility in matters of zoning regulations and map, with some prime responsibilities in reviewing site plans under zoning regulations. The Planning Commission is composed of twelve seats. Five of the seats are filled by members of the County Legislative Body (County Commission). The other seven seats are appointed by the County Mayor with confirmation by the County Commission. The Planning Commission holds regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, generally starting at 5:30 P.M., in the County Courthouse. The Commission may call special meetings and public hearings with due notice to the public.

Environmental Regulations

Local: The Blount County Environmental Department inspects septic field installations.

State: Most state environmental regulations are developed and enforced by the Department of Environment and Conservation. Areas regulated include; air pollution, water quality, radiological exposure, solid and hazardous waste management, State Superfund, underground petroleum storage tanks, utility management, and groundwater management.

*Fire Equipment: Each station is equipped with a tanker. Each station also has four fire engines. Additional equipment includes brush trucks, hazardous material support truck, and pumpers.

**Equipment/Response Time: Three ambulances are staffed 24 hours/day; three additional ambulances are also available; one additional evening ambulance is staffed and two advance life support supervisor vehicles. The average response time for emergency medical situations is 10 minutes in the County.

Emergency Services Available:
911 Emergency Service for Emergency Police, Fire and Medical Services.