The County Commission met briefly Tuesday night to approve budget amendments, appoint the delinquent tax attorney and approve the road improvement plan for this year.

Charlie Ridenour of Sweetwater was re-appointed as the delinquent tax attorney. As provided by state law, he will receive 10 percent of all delinquent taxes collected.
The Commission approved the three-year road plan for road repairs to be made using state-aid money. Roads included in the plan are: 1st District - Head of the Creek, Pond Creek, Old Highway 68, Old Athens; 2nd District - Old Federal, Ball Play, Hiwassee, Oak Grove; 3rd District - Fairview, Rafter, Reagan Valley, and Belltown.

The following budget amendments were approved:
• $26,583.22 from the fund balance to pay the county's share in a worker's compensation pool for the years 1996 - 2000. This is the second payment the county has made into the fund. The cooperative the county was a part of had purchased insurance coverage through Reliance Insurance Company. Reliance is being liquidated and there are still worker compensation claims that must be paid. The 114 members of the cooperative must each pay into the pool to help cover the claims.

• $5,000 to the general budget for the airport maintenance program. County Mayor Allan Watson said this is part of an agreement with the state that reimburses the county for a portion of the maintenance cost at the airport.

• $1,100 to the general budget for a grant the Archives office received for archival materials.
The commission also approved a resolution requesting that counties not be required to pick up funding for new state programs or for programs that are cut at the state level.

"No more," Watson said. "We've got our own problems as far as finances are concerned."
The next County Commission meeting will be at 7 pm. Tuesday, March 23 at the Courthouse in Madisonville. Agenda items must be submitted to the county clerk at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

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