By Bill Grubb
News Editor

ROGERSVILLE - Kingsport and Hawkins County are joining forces on a project to provide drinking water to the Beech Creek and Van Hill communities.
    The Hawkins County Commission voted Monday to apply for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to fund the extension of a Kingsport water line into portions of Hawkins County.
    The projected cost of the line extension is $2.8 million, with Kingsport seeking USDA Rural Development grants and loans to fund the remainder of the price tag.  No county funds will be required.
    Commissioner Virgil Mallett noted residents in that area of the county have to rely on wells as a water source, while the water line will provide a more dependable and safer water supply.
    "North Greene Utility District had the right to serve the area but they don't have the water supply, Kingsport does," County Mayor Crockett Lee said.
    There is no time table for construction on the 12-mile water line project, with Lee telling commissioners the county will not be notified of the status of the CDBG application until fall.
    Commissioner Danny Alvis, while voicing support for the project, said he would like to see the county work on a project to bring a water line to residents who live near the landfill in Carter's Valley.
    "This is a good project but I really think we need to do something to help those people who live around the landfill.  The need drinking water, too," Alvis said.
    In other business the commission:
    •  Approved a capital outlay note of up to $560,000 to purchase seven school buses, with the note to be repaid through the Hawkins County School Transportation Fund as previous debt issues are retired.
    •  Voted to reduce the mileage reimbursement rate, paid to individuals using a private vehicle for county business, from 51-cents per mile to 46-cents per mile to reflect the state rate.
    •  Agreed to allow Sheriff Roger Christian to donate three surplus light bars and related equipment to the Church Hill Police Department.
    •  Established a 20 mile per hour speed limit for Ebbing and Flowing Spring Road.
    •  Named Commissioner Tim Simpson, Kay Caldwell and Brett Sivert to the County Agriculture Extension Committee.