In an 8-5 vote, the Bradley County Commission on Tuesday voted to adopt the 2012 international building codes. One member was absent.
Commissioner Charlotte Peak-Jones, who presented the resolution, said a minimum standard was necessary for safety. She also said a strong building market would bring economic benefits to the community.
Commissioner Terry Caywood, who built his home himself, said, "I don't want my home to have some of the things you're telling me I've got to have." He mentioned several items such as specific heights for bedroom windows and sprinkler systems.
Commissioner Dan Rawls said that even the National Association of Homebuilders was not in favor of the codes.
He said, "I don't see the purpose of adopting a code just because it's the same one the city has. I don't see the purpose of a lot of things the city does, including building an $11 million gym...If you take codes like this, you will have no ability to opt out."
He asked, "At what point do we lose local control?"
Commissioners Caywood, Bobby Goins, Rawls, Howard Thompson and Jeff Yarber all voted against the resolution.
The next resolution up for vote was created by Commissioner Rawls. Its purpose was to opt out of state building codes for one and two-family dwellings in Bradley County.
The resolution failed. Only Commissioners Caywood, Goins, Rawls, Thompson and Yarber voted yes.
During the meeting, County Mayor Gary Davis was presented with the White Glove Award from Keep America Beautiful for organizing days to collect hazardous household wastes.
The commission also discussed working with the city to lower costs on organizations like the fire department.
It was stated that, currently, the city charges the county $67 per hour and 20 cents per gallon for use of their services.
Commissioner Thomas Crye said consolidation would save the taxpayers some money.
Commissioner Thompson said, "They don't want to work with us, they want us to work with them."