After the last commission meeting where commissioners voted to give Lenoir City up to $55,000.00 to pave a street in the Allenbrook subdivision, some confusion occured.

By 10:00 am the next day, Lenoir City manager, Amber Scott, had contacted the county finance department to see what they needed to do to get the $55,000.00 check. That's where the confusion came in.

During his request for the money, Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens, asked the county commission to pay half the cost of paving the road in Allenbrook subdivision. Aikens stated that Lenoir City councilman Eddie Simpson and Lenoir City street supervisor, JJ Cox had estimated the cost to pave the one street to be $110,000.00. Thus the county would pay $55,000.00. During the discussion, commissioners voted to pay half the costs based on the $110,000.00 estimate. However, everyone knew that was just an estimate and the actual costs could be less.

The finance department has asked for clarification as to the intent of commissioners who voted to give the money. Did commission actually intend to give the city the full 55k even if the cost of the job was far less? Was their intent to only pay half the cost regardless of the cost of the job? Was their intent to pay half the cost up to 55k? Was their intent to pay the money before the work was even done or was their intent to pay their half after the work was done and a bill submitted by the contractor?

There are at least two other subdivisions who have had the exact same issues with the shared former planner as the Allenbrook subdivision in the very recent past and requested the county to pay for their repairs. Even though both these subdivisions, Warriors Chase and Silver Oaks, were actually in the county, both requests were denied by commission in 2015 and 2016. Will commission be willing to take care of these two and all the others that will surely be coming forward?