Committee’s First Look At Non-Profit Funding

Budget Committee, March 31, 2014
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Jefferson County Budget Committee began the budgeting process for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, holding a meeting on Monday, March 31, 2014 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

Chairman of the Budget Committee Griffith and seven of its ten members (Cureton, Maples and Blevins not present) received a first look at requests from non profit organizations, as well as the County’s Debt Service budget and Capitol Project requests from the County side.

Non Profit Organizations requesting funding at a higher level than the 2013-2014 fiscal year were on hand to answer questions and explain their financial needs. Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department requested $110,000 to cover expenses incurred by servicing outside the city limits of Dandridge. Town Administrator Peagler and Fire Chief Riley addressed the Committee, bringing information that detailed the percent of calls that Dandridge answers from the County (78.5%) and noting a steady and consistent increase in the call volume from year to year. In regard to insurance pay back, Chief Riley and Administrator Peagler stated that the average cost recovery only tallies between $12,000 and $15,000 annually, on average, and the Fire Department has to compete with medical and other insurance pay outs, generally receiving what, if any, insurance claim funds are left. A large portion of calls are associated with the interstate and in the 2013 calendar year Dandridge had nearly 600 responses to calls. Currently all Fire Departments, with the exception of Jefferson City ($25,000), receive across the board $55,000 in funding from the County, regardless of call volume. Committee Member Dockery stated that $55,000 was understood to be bare minimum needed to keep each County Fire Department open. He noted that increased volume would place additional strain on some high volume departments. Commissioner Mills requested a breakdown from all local departments and Commissioners Beeler and Akard raised the possibility of establishing a person to oversee the local departments. Commissioner Carmichael stated that he would like to see a substation established in Swannslyvania to relieve the pressure from the Dandridge Department. Jefferson City Fire Chief Lee Turner requested that Jefferson City Fire Department funding level be raised to that of the other departments in the County ($55,000). Commissioner Beeler stated that he would support the increase on the condition that Jefferson City Fire Department becomes a first responder for areas outside the Jefferson City limits. Currently, the Jefferson City Fire Department provides mutual aid outside the City limits, however they are not the first call. No action was taken and Fire Department funding was deferred.

Other Non Profits requesting an increase in funding were ALPS Adult Daycare ( from $1,000 to $2,000) citing that 24 % of their service is to Jefferson County residents and the requested financial contribution is less than ½ a percent of their total funding needs-Dandridge Community Trust ( from $1,000 to $4,000) for economic community development-Habitat for Humanity( from $3,000 to $20,000) for infrastructure for a new road through the recently donated Racine Ridge, citing the projected property tax is projected to be $9,181 per year-Safe Harbor( no previous funding to $25,000 2014-2015).

The Boys and Girls Club also presented information regarding the objectives set out during the previous budgeting season, noting that they had reached their objectives and are providing a service to supplement participant meals to ensure that members are fed daily. They are requesting level funding at $80,000 which will provide service in both White Pine and at the former Ruritan Park location.

Other notable requests, all with level funding, were Douglas Cooperative $7,000-Douglas Cherokee Senior Nutrition $ 1,000-Douglas Cherokee Neighborhood Center $3,500-Glenmore Chapter APTA $1,000-Humane Society of Jefferson County $93,150-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce $155,000-EDOC $180,000-Health Department Children’s Services $2,794-SafeSpace $4,000-Senior Citizen’s Home Assistance $1,000-Lakeway CASA, Inc $1,000-UT Hearing & Speech $3,100.

The total requested for Non Profit Organizations came to $583,544. Fire Department Funding requests totaled $605,000 with a grand total of both requests tallying $1,188,544.

Approval of all Non Profit requests was rolled to the next meeting.

Commissioner Akard made a Motion to Approve the request of Jefferson County E-911 to be funded at $433,600, which was the same as the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The Motion was 2nd by Commissioner Carmichael and Passed.

The Committee reviewed the Debt Service Budget with two listed alternatives. One required 25 pennies of the tax rate and $971,096 of fund balance. Alternative two required 19 pennies of the tax rate and $2,146,759 use of the fund balance. No action was taken on the Debt Service Budget other than a successful Motion from Akard and 2nd from Carmichael to secure accurate numbers on the fixed and variable rates being paid. The Motion came on the heels of questions from Budget Committee Chairman Griffith concerning hard figures that could impact the amount free to allocate to charitable organizations.

Also under review was the Capitol Projects Budget, with the County side having anticipated expenditures of $354,800. Department of Education requests will be available at a later date.

Director of Jefferson County Finance Helton brought information regarding a request to consider equalization of benefits between school and County side employees. Helton stated that it would be costly and difficult to completely equalize benefits due to the scope of changes necessary on both sides. Committee Member Akard made a Motion to leave benefits as they are, with Committee Member Beeler 2nding the Motion. The Motion Passed 5-2 with Committee Members Dockery and Carmichael voting No.

The Budget Committee will continue the budgeting process on April 14, 2014.