Budget Committee – Motion To Withhold Chamber Funding Until Open Books for Public View Voted Down
The Jefferson County Budget Committee met on Monday, June 3, 2013 in the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse. The Meeting was Called to Order by Chairman Griffith. Absent from Roll Call were Committee Members Blevins and Cureton. Commissioner Turner sat in for Cureton.
Two citizens addressed the Committee regarding public funds directed to the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and EDOC and citizens inclusion on committees.
The Committee preliminarily approved the budgets for several areas and departments. County Buildings and Financial Management budgets were re-presented to the Committee, with requested changes to the utilities lines. The County Buildings proposal included an increase of around $81,000 that was comprised of increased costs in building insurance and maintenance contracts, as well as a new County building and replacement truck. The Solid Waste Fund and Sanitation Fund were rolled to the next meeting to allow time to research options available to fund the needs of the departments. Budgets accepted as presented were-Sanitation-Litter Grant, Courthouse Jail and Maintenance, Law Library, Drug Fund, Hospital Revenue Reserve Account, Other Public Safety, Department of Environment and Libraries (rolled from last meeting/ without significant salary increases).
Non Profit Organizations presented their budget requests for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. The Town of Dandridge requested an increase of 55, 000 for the County contribution to the Fire Department due to the percentage of calls (76%) outside the city limits. The Committee noted the discrepancy between the number of calls answered in the County by various departments, however denied the request for additional funding. Also requesting an increase in funding was the Jefferson City Fire Department, which currently receives$25,151(limited response outside the City limits) and requested the full $55,000 in funding. Committee Member Baxley made a Motion to fund all Fire Departments at last year’s funding amounts ($55,000 with the exception of Jefferson City) and was 2nd by Committee Member Akard. The Motion Passed and the Committee will request that the issue with the Dandridge Fire Department and others be addressed and a proposal for better distribution of Fire Department Funds be brought before the Commission.
Only Non-Profits that requested increases appeared before the Committee. Judge Dewayne Sloan made a presentation for the Boys and Girls Club, which requested a fund increase from $15,000 to $80,000 to support a new program that will transport at risk students in need of transportation to the facility. Dr. Dale Bryant and the Board of Boys and Girls Club requested the funds and will provide information to the Committee showing cost savings to the County for students that are productive students and remain out of the court system. Carmichael made the Motion to Approve the increase in funding, noting that the County spends the same or equal amounts on prisoner’s health costs. He was 2nd by Committee Member Maples and the Motion Passed. Both the Dandridge Community Trust and Douglas Cooperative requested increases and requests were denied. Dandridge Community Trust will be funded at last year’s level of $1,000 and Douglas Cooperative will also be funded at last year’s level of $7,000.
New funding for Lakeway CASA, Inc, a child help organization, was Approved in the amount of $1,000 and a report will be included with next year’s budgeting request. Receiving funding with no increases are ALPS Adult day Care $1,000-Douglas Cherokee Senior Nutrition $1,000-Douglas Cherokee Neighborhood Center $3,500-Glenmore Chapter APTA $1,000-Habitat for Humanity $3,000-Humane Society of Jefferson County $$93,105-Chamber of Commerce $155,000- Economic Development EDOC $180,000-Health Department Children’s Services $2,794-SafeSpace $4,000-Senior Citizens Home Assistance $1,000 and U.T. Hearing and Speech $3,100.
Committee Member Carmichael made a Motion to withhold Chamber of Commerce funding until they present open books for public scrutiny. 2nd Maples-Failed with Maples and Carmichael voting Yes.
Committee Member Akard made a motion to deny funding for Habitat for Humanity but the motion died for a lack of a 2nd.
Committee Member Dockery stated that he had requested information on the question of Commission Members on organization boards voting on funding those organizations with County money. The issue will be addressed at work session.
