Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis presented Finance Director Lynn Burns with the Budget Presentation Award for fiscal year 2011/12 during the Bradley County Commission voting meeting Monday afternoon. The county finance department has earned the award for several years in a row. The award represents the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting and is a significant accomplishment by local government and its financial management. Mayor Davis said the award acknowledges the comprehensive annual financial report by Bradley County’s Finance Department and he credited the hard work of his staff and Finance Director Lynn Burns. Bradley County is just one of 21 local governments in Tennessee to receive the award for 2012.

In other business, Commissioner Jeff Yarber made a motion to accept the appointment of new 5^th District Constable Steve R. Anderson. He said, “We have toiled over this decision for several weeks now and feel we have made the right choice for the 5^th District Constable position.” Mr. Anderson is a graduate from Bradley Central High School and received a diploma from Cleveland State Community College. He also served in the United States Marine Corps from 1993 to 2002 and was presented with the Selected Marie Corp Reserve Medal and National Defense Medal. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal E-4. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission also unanimously passed a motion made by Commissioner Adam Lowe accepting a proclamation recognizing Governor Bill Haslam for assistance during the April 2011 tornados.

Commissioner Lowe added an additional motion to the agenda authorizing Chairman Louie Alford to write a letter on behalf of the commission to support a backcountry camping fee resolution recently passed by the Blount County Commission.

In February, Great Smoky Mountain National Park officials implemented the controversial fee plan. In response the Blount County Commission passed a resolution condemning the fees. They requested the Tennessee General Assembly to carefully investigate this matter and to join in formally opposing the imposition of the backcountry camping fee for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They also asked counties surrounding the park to join in the resolution as well.

Commissioner Lowe said, “I do not think this is an efficiently enforceable fee, especially when parks are funded by our tax dollars. I make the motion to show our support in this resolution and ask that our chairman issue a letter on behalf of commission.” The motion passed with Commissioner Jeff Morelock passing on his vote.

The Bradley County Commission will hold its next work session meeting next Monday at 7 p.m.