Town Declines DCT Request to Fund Director’s Position
The Town of Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen declined to pass any initiative that would offer additional financial support to a reportedly financially unstable Dandridge Community Trust. In a 5-2 vote, the Board declined to pass a motion that was offered by David Jones and 2nd by Mike Chambers that would have provided ½ of the funding for salary of the director of the Dandridge Community Trust, which would have required around $10,000 of tax payer funds. The Jones/Chambers motion stipulated that the funding would be for a two year period and would have required a review of the financial situation at 18 months. It would have left the DCT controlling four seats on a nine member board that would oversee the organization, with the director answering to the Town.
Members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen heard from members of the Dandridge Community Trust, who plead their case for funding, noting contributions that the organization had made in the past, as well as grants and volunteer hours, which raised discussion on exactly which projects were attributed to the DCT and which were outside the scope of the organization’s work. In discussion, questions were raised regarding the avenue of funding and concerns that the request was for an ongoing funding item presented outside of budget season. During Work Session last week, DCT representatives requested full funding of the directorship and to leave the current DCT board in tact but amended their request for ½ funding at the voting meeting. Following the failed motion, Dandridge Mayor Gantte called for any other motions regarding the funding request and none were offered.
It is unclear if the director’s salary for the Dandridge Community Trust will continue to be privately underwritten, as it was indicated that it has been through 2015,or if the 501 C 3 will dissolve. Estimated reports that were based on information provided by the Dandridge Community Trust indicate that there will be a maximum revenue of $14,696 in the DCT account at the close of 2015. Costs to support the director’s position through the end of the fiscal year(June) will run $10,724, with a total cost of a little more than $21,000 for the entire year. Revenue for events and fundraisers in 2016 were not included in calculations.
