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Bull Run implosion marks end of era

by Ben Pounds


The iconic stacks that have towered over Claxton since 1967 will be demolished on Saturday, June 28. The implosion is another step in the decommissioning of TVA’s Bull Run site. TVA retired the plant in February 2023. - Tony Cox
The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to implode the two stacks and a plant structure at the retired Bull Run Fossil Plant on Saturday, June 28.

“Safety is a priority, and TVA is coordinating with multiple local, state and federal agencies to ensure the implosion activities are safely completed,” TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said.

“For the safety of the public and our team, access to the site will be strictly limited to authorized personnel only,” he said. “Edgemoor Road will be closed for certain periods of time, and we discourage members of the public from attempting to gather near the site.”

Brooks warned people not to attempt to watch the event in person. Instead, TVA will capture and share video footage of the implosion on its social media channels.

The Anderson County Emergency Management Agency shared an announcement from TVA giving further details.

TVA will close Claxton Community Park and the neighboring ballfields for the day. The utility stated the Bull Run area will be off-limits to drones and aircraft and warned of “temporary bursts of loud noises.”

“This is a big moment for the site and for the community,” Brooks said. “While we are decommissioning the site, we are also preparing it for future energy projects to continue its proud legacy in the community.”

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Joshua Anderson seeks county mayor post

by G. Chambers Williams III


Joshua Anderson
Anderson County Commissioner Joshua Anderson has announced that he will be running for the Republican nomination for county mayor in the May 5 primary election, challenging incumbent Mayor Terry Frank.

First elected to the County Commission for District 3 in 2018, Anderson served as commission chairman from September 2020 to 2023.

A native of Anderson County, he’s now in his second term on the commission. He works as a financial aid officer for South College in Knoxville, and his family has farmed in the Brooks Gap area for decades, he said.

In an announcement on Facebook last Friday (June 20), Anderson said:

“After two terms serving as your county commissioner, I would be honored to serve as your county mayor. I am committed to listening to our communities as we make planning and zoning decisions regarding the future development of our county.

“I’m committed to making positive changes to our animal shelter and animal welfare situation in our county, and like I did with commission, if elected, I pledge to serve no more than two terms.”

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Clinton budget approved, tax rate uncertain

by Ben Pounds

Clinton has a new budget, but its property tax rate is still uncertain.

This budget was passed at the City Council’s Monday (June 23) meeting on second and final reading.

Total city general fund expenditures will be $15,732,664, working from an estimated revenue and other funding sources of $15,733,487.

The general-purpose school fund is projected to have a similarly balanced budget, spending all of an estimated $12,124,778 in available funds.

City employees will receive a 6% pay raise across the board.

Because the Tennessee Board of Equalization will not certify a property tax rate until July, the budget does not include the rate.

City Manager Roger Houck said the rate will likely drop from 86 cents to 53 cents per $100 of assessed value. He said he would know by the council’s July meeting.

Houck said the council will need to adopt a tax rate after that date.

Houck pointed out at the meeting, however, that the city had already set and raised its hotel and motel tax rate.

The council earlier voted to raise it from 3% to 4%, although people staying in Clinton won’t see a difference as Anderson County lowered its rate from 5% to 4%.

Councilmembers Rob Herrell and Brian Hatmaker were not present, but all the members present at the June meeting voted to pass the budget on second reading.

Anderson County budget approved

by Ben Pounds

At a special called meeting, the Anderson County Commission on Monday approved a $153.25 million budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The property tax rate isn’t certain yet, as the state Board of Equalization needs to certify that rate after the recent countywide property reappraisals.

The budget designated a total of $153,017,282 in expenditures for all funds, although an amendment added $250,000 to that for municipal fire departments within the county.

Of that, $45,310,921 went to the total general fund, $698,227 to the county library board, $2,703,791 to the solid waste fund, $60,000 to the drug control fund, $198,663 to the Chanell 95 Enterprise Fund, $850,961 to the tourism council fund, $7,862,448 to the highway and public works fund, $78,135,202 to the general purpose school fund, $4,802,712 to the central cafeteria fund, $430,291 to the general capital projects fund, $924,766 to the educational capital project fund and $5,578,012 for the Anderson County benefit plan fund.

The general debt service fund received $1,797,019. The rural school debt service fund got $1,724,263 and the high school debt service fund $1,940,006.

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