There has been some misinformation circulating regarding the Town of Louisville’s interlocal agreement with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, and we want to provide some clarification:
We encourage everyone to verify information and not rely solely on what is shared in comment sections or online discussions.
What This Agreement Does:
This agreement allows Blount County Sheriff’s deputies to enforce Town of Louisville ordinances. Prior to this, deputies could only enforce county laws, not the town’s ordinances.
Why This Matters:
Before this agreement, the Town had no effective way to enforce its own ordinances. This includes common concerns residents have raised such as:
Property maintenance issues
Noise complaints
Barking dogs and other nuisance concerns
With this agreement in place, those issues can now be addressed and enforced locally.
About Staffing and Cost:
The Town has been in contract with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office since 2017 to ensure better response times and service for Louisville residents.
The Town does not have the revenue to create, employ, and ensure its own police department, so contracting with the Sheriff’s Office remains the most effective way to provide law enforcement services.
This agreement does not create a new police presence—it simply expands the ability of deputies to enforce Town ordinances in addition to county laws.
Regarding Fines and Revenue:
There is no large revenue gain for the Town. In fact:
Municipal penalties are limited to a maximum of $50 per violation, and each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate offense
The Town must also pay associated fees and costs out of collected fines
This agreement is about service and enforcement, not generating revenue.
What Will Be Enforced:
The Sheriff’s Office will enforce specific Louisville ordinances already adopted by the Town, including areas such as:
Animal control (including nuisance and barking dogs)
Noise regulations
Property maintenance and safety codes
Trash and litter regulations
Zoning and public safety ordinances
These are rules already in place—this agreement simply ensures they can now be enforced.
Our goal is to improve quality of life, responsiveness, and consistency for our residents. If you have questions, we encourage you to reach out directly to Town Hall.