Warren County governments are slated to receive $1.26 million from the state.
Gov. Bill Lee has set aside $200 million in next year’s budget to be allocated as one-time grants to city and county governments in Tennessee. The monies will be available after July 1, 2020, and distributed based on population. No county will receive less than $500,000 and no city or municipality will receive less than $30,000.
According to a list of cities and counties, Warren County government will receive $817,000. The city of McMinnville $332,073, Morrison $45,713, Centertown $35,539 and Viola $32,932.
There are restrictions on how the money can be used.
According to an overview, “Grants are one-time funding and are to be used on one-time expenses. Funds may not be used to support recurring expenditures such as salaries, debt issuance, or existing programming and services. Grant funds for new building construction are not permitted.”
State grant funds may be used as a match to leverage other funds. No local funding match is required. Grant funds can be used on multiple projects.
The grants can be used on COVID-19 response. Items would include items related to control and containment. Examples of one-time expenses include supplies and equipment purchases, cleaning, emergency food and shelter programs.
Other permitted spending categories:
IT hardware upgrades – information technology upgrades would include new or replacement of IT equipment with a one-time expenditure for items such as hardware. Public safety systems can also be included.
Capital maintenance – projects should focus on maintaining current facilities, primarily through repair and renovation of roofing, mechanical, and electrical systems. Projects would include items that appreciably extend the life of the facility, such as alterations to rectify code deficiencies, modifications for health and safety issues, repairs to improve utility systems, repaving, roof repairs, exterior fencing and lighting, and repair.
Utility system upgrades – those upgrades would include maintenance and upgrades to existing water and sewer infrastructure.
Road projects – those projects would include road and bridge maintenance, renovation and replacement projects along with traffic control initiatives. Priority given to existing roads and bridges.
Public Safety – items would include ADA type projects (not planning) as well as equipment purchases for law enforcement, fire and emergency response and school buses.
The maintenance and renovation of recreational facilities (ballfields, parks, greenways, and recreation centers) would not be an allowable use.
Each government must apply to the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration for its grant and be approved. Any funds not applied for by April 30, 2021, will cease to be available and will return to the state general fund.
Any funds granted by the state, but not spent or contractually obligated by June 30, 2021, will be required to be returned.
