DAYTON, Tenn. -- Rhea County commissioners are looking for a way to throttle back on noisy trucks.
Commissioners said they will prepare a resolution seeking state authorization to regulate truck noises on county highways after hearing a complaint.
Commissioner Bill Hollin, who represents an area that includes State Route 60 between Dayton and the Tennessee River, said people living along the highway have complained to him for some time about truckers using "jake brakes" to slow their rigs.
"That rattles the houses," he said.
County Attorney Carol Barron said state lawmakers would have to pass a statewide law giving counties authority to regulate traffic on state highways.
"It's too late to get a bill in the hopper this year," Commissioner Hollin said. "I might talk to our state representative for next year."
Commissioners also approved a $25,000 appropriation to balance expenditures between departments in the centralized maintenance operation.
Finance Director Bill Graham said the county department of education has carried approximately 80 percent of the administrative costs for the operation, based on time spent on projects.
This year, he said, county general government increased its usage to 29 percent, and the appropriation was needed to cover the greater share of expenses.