Budget Committee Tackles Non Profit Funding
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met this week to address Non Profit requests. Though requests for increases in funding were presented by the Boys & Girls Club and the Humane Society both walked away with the same allocation as they received in the current fiscal year. Boys and Girls Club Representative noted a need for more funding to address paving needs at the Dumplin Valley location. Budget Committee Member McGraw offered a motion that left the funding level at $60,000 and would look at assisting with the paving situation when firm numbers become available. He was 2nd by Budget Committee Member Carmichael and the motion passed unanimously. The Jefferson County Humane Society offered a possible funding mechanism that could raise more than half of their requested $30,000 increase in the form of a rabies fee which would be collected at the time of vaccination. Though the Committee expressed interest in the possibility of the fee, it was noted that it would need to be a recommendation from the Animal Control Oversight Committee which will meet later this Spring. McGraw brought a motion that kept level funding for the Humane Society at $70,000 for the fiscal year 2017/2018. The motion was 2nd by Committee Member Tim Seals and with an amendment to increase funding by $10,000 to $80,000 being moved by Committee Member Huffaker but the amendment died for a lack of a 2nd. The original motion was approved unanimously.
Both the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Alliance made presentations to the Budget Committee. Hotel/Motel Tax funds both organizations with the money split during the current fiscal year being $85,000 to the Chamber of Commerce and $280,000 to EDA. During the current fiscal year the Chamber of Commerce would receive up to $100,000 in funding if the Hotel/Motel fund could support that amount. Carmichael made a motion to fund the EDA at $280,000 and the Chamber of Commerce at $85,000 with any excess taxes collected going to the Jefferson County Industrial Development Board to recover monies spent in the proposal process for the now defunct White Pine Commerce Park project. Carmichael’s motion died for lack of a 2nd. Committee Member Beeler moved to fund the Chamber of Commerce at a $65,000 cap and EDA at $280,000 with up to $40,000 in any excess collected by Hotel/Motel Tax to go to the IDB and remainder to be held in a reserve account. Beeler’s motion was 2nd by Carmichael. Committee Member Tucker offered an amendment to fund EDA at $260,000 and the Chamber of Commerce at $65,000 with excess Hotel/Motel Tax of $40,000 to IDB and any remaining monies from the tax to be split between the three organizations. His amendment was 2nd by McGraw but failed to find favor in an 6-2 vote with Committee Members Beeler, Carmichael, Scarlett, Huffaker, Baxley and Seals voting No. Huffaker also offered an amendment to fund $280,000 to EDA, $65,000 to Chamber and $20,000 to IDB from fund balance but her amendment failed for lack of 2nd. The original Beeler/Carmichael motion passed unanimously.
In the citizen portion of the meeting the Budget Committee heard from citizens requesting funding for the Jefferson County Humane Society, the Senior Citizens Alliance ($4,000) and Safe Space ($4,000). Both the Senior organization and Safe Space noted that they do no get any contribution from Jefferson County even though they serve the area. Town of Dandridge Administrator Peagler addressed the Committee regarding equity in Fire Department Funding as it pertains to the residents of the Town of Dandridge. Peagler noted that the Town is asking for reasonable assistance in the $30,000 increase range to help pay for outside the city calls, which make up more than 70% of the calls annually and more than 47% of the population are serviced by the Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department. Peagler stated that the Dandridge Board of Mayor and Aldermen are open to reassessment of the service area lines.
Though Fire Department Funding was on the agenda for the Monday night meeting, it was postponed until after the Public Service Committee receives information from the Fire Chiefs Association regarding equitable split in funding, service areas and sub stations. Chair of the Fire Chief’s Association Chad Cotter addressed the Committee. He stated that it would be difficult for the Fire Chief’s to return with a funding split that would take current funding, as it is at a minimum to run a department. He also expressed concern for the City of White Pine and the Town of Dandridge, as they are in similar situations regarding city residents paying for out side city fire service for county residents. Jefferson City Fire Chief Turner stated that the Jefferson City Department, the only professional department in the County, would be using the requested funding increase for a training facility that would be utilized by other departments in the County. New Market and Parrot’s Chapel Fire Chiefs also addressed the Committee.
Committee Member Tucker offered a Motion to fund Safe Space at the requested $4,000 noting that they are integral to the Sheriff’s Department and they have been requested to donate land to Jefferson County Conservation Board for a possible Park. He was 2nd by Committee Member Seals and the Motion passed 5-3 with Committee Members Beeler, Baxley and Scarlett voting No.
Finance Director Potts discussed the policy for disbursement of funds for Non Profits and he will address those stipulations with the funded non profits so they are aware of the mandates.
