The county commission met in regular session Jan. 18 at the Courthouse in Benton.

• Unanimous approval was given to a request for the legislature to amend the Private Act that created the amusement tax. The amendment is designed to comply with the federal Maritime Act, which does not allow a tax on vessels in navigable waters but does allow fees to cover services. For Ocoee customers, the plan calls for calculating the amount spent on services and dividing it by the number of customers yearly to determine the fee for the following year. There would be a $2.50 maximum on the tax if approved for other amusements.

• Approval was given to extend for six months the interest-only payments on a $1.4 million line of credit for Copper Basin Medical Center. The county, Copperhill and Ducktown are guarantors for the loan. After six months, the line of credit will be converted to a regular loan with payments on both principal and interest. Billy Hyde, banker with United Community Bank, said Brim, the company now operating the hospital, had found “a ton of debt nobody knew about” when it took over and has been working to pay that off, noting it will soon be able to make regular loan payments on the line of credit. Administrator Ray Ford said the hospital operation is finally taking in more than it is paying out.

• Cindy Hooker with the Boys & Girls Club in Benton asked the commission to consider providing land for a building. She said the club is currently paying rent, which has increased, and would rather have its own building so more money would be available for programs for the children. She said they see 40-45 kids each night. She said she hopes to get a grant for a building but needs to have land first. The building committee will look at available sites and report back next month.

• Wanda Cheek was appointed to serve on the Copper Basin Hospital Board, replacing Randy Collins. Board members had submitted the names of Collins, Donald Panter and Jim Proctor for the position. Commission Chairman Daniel Deal said there had been a meeting at which one of the names was different but another meeting was held to approve the three that were submitted. He said the commission is not required to accept the board’s recommendation.

• Approval was given for Stinnett to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds. Stinnett said there are three possible water line extension projects – Stansbury Road, Linsdale area, and the southern portion of West Polk. He said he is working with Ocoee Utilities, Etowah Utilities and Copper Basin Utility District to gather information and financing. The utility districts would cover any matching funds.

• Approval was given to make stimulus loan funds available to the municipalities. Stinnett explained that money came through the state to the counties but said he did not think the county could take on any more long-term debt. There was nearly $1.6 million available for various uses, with a 3% interest rate. Stinnett said Benton and Ducktown had expressed an interest in using the funding.

• Stinnett reported that railroad crossing improvements would be made at York and Lowery roads as part of the Hwy. 411 four-laning project and that the state would be making improvement to the rail crossing at Longley road.

• Mark Bishop asked if U.S. Senators Alexander and Corker or Rep. Zach Wamp have been to see the rockslide. He said it looks like they could bring pressure to TEMA to provide help, such as commodities for those who are having to choose between food and gas.