Budget Committee approves funding for some outside agencies
Published 4:45 pm Tuesday, July 11, 2023
- File Photo Carter County Courthouse
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
The Carter County Budget Committee approved funding for several outside agencies on Monday.
If approved by the full commission later this month, the county will provide $174,809 for non-county operated organizations that provide services for county residents.
During the recent budget cycle, the commission removed several organizations from the budget but promised it would reconsider funding them during the new fiscal year, which began July 1.
One of those organizations, Carter Compassion Center, which opened a physical office last year at the former Chamber of Commerce building on U.S. Highway 19E, will receive the amount it had requested during the budget cycle.
The Carter Compassion Center had sought $5,000 in funding from the county for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Julie Guinn, vice chairwoman of the Budget Committee, noted that the center had never requested money before.
Commissioner Robert Acuff made a motion to approve funding for the organization and said he was inclined to do so because of the services it provides for local residents, particularly those who are homeless.
The center serves as a liaison for the community’s homeless and impoverished residents and the organizations that can help. The goal is to provide individuals and families with a plan of action, along with a mentor.
In addition, the committee approved to fund $20,000 for the local Boys and Girls Club and $25,000 for the American Red Cross.
The Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, which provides services for county residents who use city park facilities, will receive $25,000. Loaves and Fishes Ministry, which has a location in Elizabethton, will receive $12,000 from the county.
Another organization, the Elizabethton Senior Center, will receive $26,500, if approved by the full commission. Senior Center officials have been concerned about the possibility of losing funding. A majority of the people the organization serves are county residents, according to center officials.
The Carter County Commission meets July 17 at 16 p.m. at the county courthouse.
