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Joe Spoone is no stranger to Hamblen County government.

Having previously served on the county commission during the 1990s and early 2000s, Spoone says encouragement from community members and concern about the county’s direction led him to seek the position again.

Spoone believes his past experience gives him a clear perspective on how county government has changed over the years. His message to voters centers on a return to what he describes as practical and conservative decision making.

“I’d like to bring back some of our old conservative ways,” Spoone said.

After years away from office, he said many residents have approached him and urged him to consider running again.

“People kept encouraging me to run,” he said.

One of Spoone’s primary concerns is how county government manages its budget. While he acknowledges that costs have increased across the board in recent years, he believes commissioners still have a responsibility to search for efficiencies and avoid unnecessary spending.

“We need to look at finding savings,” Spoone said. “You can always trim the fat.”

He believes that process begins with a closer look at the operations of individual county departments. By reviewing how funds are spent and identifying areas where costs can be reduced, Spoone says the county can ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

“We need to live within our means,” he said.

Spoone also emphasized the importance of practical decision making in day to day operations. He used a simple example involving road maintenance crews to illustrate the kind of approach he believes county government should adopt.

“If a crew is out patching holes in the road and they have a little asphalt left over and see another hole, just go ahead and fill it,” he said. “Don’t leave it just because it’s not on the work order.”

The recent property tax increase is another issue Spoone says he has heard about frequently while speaking with residents.

Although he recognizes that inflation and rising costs affect county government just as they do households, he believes the size of the increase came as a shock to many taxpayers.

“That was a lot to throw at the taxpayer all at once,” he said.

Property reappraisals, he noted, are required periodically by the state and often result in higher assessed values.

When those changes are combined with a tax rate increase, however, many homeowners feel the impact more sharply.

“Reappraisals have to happen,” Spoone said. “But when you include a tax increase on top of that, it’s a lot to throw at someone at once.”

Spoone said some residents have told him their tax bills have increased dramatically over the past several years.

“I’ve heard people say their taxes have tripled,” he said.

He also shared a story from a conversation with a local resident that he says stuck with him. “I spoke with a voter who told me she lives on Social Security and the tax increase took one whole paycheck to pay,” Spoone said. “We have to do something about that. The young and the elderly are the ones who face the toughest situation.”

Another issue he believes deserves greater attention is the economic pressure facing younger residents in the community. Spoone said many young people are struggling to afford housing and everyday expenses.

“Young people can’t afford to rent a house,” he said.

He believes the county should focus more energy on recruiting businesses that offer higher paying jobs rather than relying heavily on service industry positions.

“We need to recruit good paying businesses so people can survive,” Spoone said. “Not just drive-in type businesses.”

Industrial employers, he said, often provide the type of wages and stability that help young families remain in the community.

“Industrial businesses help pay the bills for young people,” he said.

Spoone also said the county should continue investing in its existing employees.

“We need to be taking care of our employees first,” he said.

Education and youth development are closely connected to Spoone’s broader concerns about the future workforce. He believes investing in children early can help prevent problems later in life.

“Invest in the children so they stay out of jail,” he said.

The cost of the county’s new jail facility is one project he believes deserves closer scrutiny.

“Why did we spend so much money on the jail?” Spoone said. “That price is astronomical.”

Rather than focusing heavily on correctional facilities, he said communities should focus more resources on helping young people succeed.

“I want to make sure we’re creating a good future for our youth,” he said.

One question Spoone often raises when discussing the issue involves education levels among inmates.

“Ask inmates what their highest level of school completed is,” he said.

He believes the answer often highlights the connection between education and future opportunity.

Local schools, he added, should continue receiving support as the county grows.

At Fairview School, for example, Spoone said he would like to see permanent classroom buildings replace mobile units currently used to accommodate student growth.

“Fairview needs brick and mortar classrooms,” he said. “Those mobile classrooms are too much.”

Spoone said growth in Hamblen County will likely continue in the years ahead, bringing new construction and additional tax revenue with it. Preparing for the next generation, he said, should remain a central focus of county government.

“We need to prepare for our young people coming up,” he said.

As he returns to the campaign trail after many years away from public office, Spoone says his goal remains straightforward.

He hopes to apply the experience he gained during his earlier years on the commission while focusing on what he sees as responsible spending, practical decision making, and building a stronger future for the county’s next generation.