White County Executive Q5 Candidate Responses

The Main Street Journal – Sparta has been listening to the community. Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Executive candidates.

Here is your fifth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

There have been questions from citizens regarding the enforcement of building and property codes within White County. Would some improved enforcement of violations capture money for the General Budget?

DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON: Not Applicable - There are no property codes to enforce, and builders are not fined for building code violations. They are required to fix the problem.

KYLE GOFF: As for health and safety codes, resolution 40-08-2020, passed in August of 2020 gave the county authority to enforce regulatory standards of residential property. Counties of our size cannot enforce such regulations without a state sponsor in the general assembly. Neither Senator Bailey nor Representative Sherrell would carry the bill on the State level. So the resolution lay dormant on our books until March 2023 when it was rescinded.

Although needed in certain cases, I support the overturning of this particular legislation as it was an overreach of government authority, in my opinion. Such as the provision that classifies the accumulation of one or more junk motor vehicles as a violation, extending enforcement into matters of personal property that may not present a clear or immediate risk to public health or safety. Additionally, the definition of “junk motor vehicles” is written so broadly that it captures any inoperable vehicle not fully enclosed within a substantial structure, regardless of whether the vehicle is being restored, stored temporarily, or otherwise maintained without harm to others. Finally, the regulation addressing animals introduces a standard based on noise being “plainly audible” at a distance of 500 feet, an inherently subjective measure that risks inconsistent interpretation and uneven enforcement toward farmers.

Now, as for building codes, White County had used the State of TN for building inspections until FY22-23. Our codes department began with one employee and an $80,000 budget. In FY25-26, the department ballooned to three employees and a $235,000 budget (200% increase). The department does break even, or have a slight margin, but this is only because the building permit fees were increased by nearly triple in 2025. Based on my understanding, when the state was conducting our permitting, they dedicated one staff member to our area and contractors did not suffer from insufficiency in the system. Now, with this large local government department, contractors experience delays, inconsistencies, and inefficient processes. This department will be under evaluation under my administration, and all options will be on the table.

PENNY WHALEY: Yes, by enforcing of building and property codes violations as well as ensuring property owners obtain required permits for building and improvement not only can generate revenue for the budget but increases safety.

JOE HALLUMS: Yes, we should not leave revenue on the table. However, this process should be documented and enforced within consistent and reasonable guidelines.

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