The Warren County Procedures and Rules Committee met last week and approved funding of $5,000 to Sister Cities in the 2012-13 year budget, which, in turn, will take money away from other non-profit organizations.
Sister Cities is important because, “It fosters better cultural understanding between our countries. With Yorozu being a Japanese-American company, it is important we understand each other’s traditions,” said Andy Putman, Yorozu Automotive America human resources manager.
Yorozu is the largest private employer in Warren County, employing over 1,400 people, according to Linda Blair, benefits administrator at Yorozu.
Richard King, Yorozu Automotive Tennessee human resource manager, said McMinnville’s Sister City, Mikawa, Japan, is the hometown of Yorozu’s founder, Nobuhiko Uesawa. “Sister Cities has been a valuable resource between students to learn each other’s culture and has built life-long relationships,” he said.
Organizations possibly losing funding for the 2012-13 year are the American Red Cross which requested $15,000 but was approved for $7,250. This is a $500 decrease from the amount funded to the American Red Cross last year.
CHEER Mental Health asked for $10,000, but was approved for $4,250 which is a $500 decrease from last year.
The Children’s Advocacy Center requested $4,800 and was approved for $2,000 which is a $250 decrease from last year.
Governor’s Books from Birth asked for $10,000 and was approved to receive $4,200 which is a $550 decrease from last year.
McMinnville-Warren County Senior Center requested $12,000 and was approved for $4,500 which is $500 less than it received last year.
Sunny Day Adult Day Care asked for $5,000 and received $1,000 which is a $500 decrease.
Warren County CARES asked for $5,000 and was approved for $2,000, which is a $500 decrease.
Warren County Emergency Food Bank asked for $3,000 and $2,500 was approved, which is a $500 decrease.
Main Street McMinnville requested $6,400, but will receive no money from the county as officials did not approve any funding to the organization.
Families in Crisis requested $5,000 but will receive nothing from the county. Last year, Families in Crisis received $4,350 from in-kind donations for the use of office space at the county building.
Two organizations did not request money this year. Young Men United received $2,750 in funding last year but will receive no money next year due to not submitting a request. McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce no longer sponsors the Highland Rim Classic and did not request money for the race. Last year it was awarded $1,750.
Two organizations receiving more funding than the previous year include the Citizens for Progress Scholarship Program which was approved for $2,500, a $1,750 increase. Also, Heritage Alliance has been approved for $1,300 which is an increase of $550.
Several organizations have been approved to receive the same amount of funding for the 2012-13 year as they received this past year. McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce requested $17,500 but was approved for $5,000, the same as last year. Pacesetters will receive its request of $2,000.
Tennessee Opportunity Programs, Inc. (RSVP) requested $1,500 and was approved for $500.
A total of seven Volunteer Fire Departments will receive $21,000. The Warren County A&L Fair requested $10,000 but was approved for $5,000. Warren County Home Delivery Meals, otherwise known as Meals on Wheels, requested $5,000 but was approved for $2,500.
Members of the Procedures and Rules Committee who were present for the meeting are County Executive John Pelham, Terry Bell, Carl Bouldin, Ken Martin and Herschel Wells. Absent were Teddy Boyd, Sally Brock, Gary Prater and Les Trotman.