County budget amendments OK

Gary Nelson | Senior staff writer gnelson@crossville-chronicle.com, Crossville Chronicle, Tenn.
·2 min read

May 9—Cumberland County's budget committee last week approved two amendments to tower and ground space license agreements for continued space on U.S. Cellular towers at Turkey Knob and Black Mountain in Cumberland County.

The agreements allow for continued use of space on the towers for Cumberland Counties emergency communication equipment at a rate of $650 per month per tower. It was the third amendment for both towers for a term beginning May 1, 2023. There are no changes in the contract renewal. The contract was reviewed by county attorney Phillip Burnett and is pending to be reviewed by Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster.

It was unanimously approved.

The budget committee also approved a few line item budget amendments that do not require the approval of the county commission. The amendments were for various departments.

Line item amendments approved include:

—$3,000 for the EMS department, moving funds from the other charges line to the in-service training.

—$300 for the Veterans Service Office, moving funds from travel expense line to office supplies for computer software.

—$500 for the Art Circle Library transferring the funds from office supplies line to communication.

Budget amendments for the Cumberland County Board of Education that do not need approval from the county's budget committee included:

—$500 from the Perkins Basic Federal Grant instructional supplies and materials line to other contracted services.

—$14,599.45 transfer from federal literacy implementation network lines certified substitute teachers, non-certified substitute teachers and in-service site development to instructional supplies and materials.

—$20,002.71 transfer from federal TN All Corps funds from lines state retirement, life insurance, medical insurance, dental insurance and instructional equipment to educational assistants line and social security line.

The committee also approved allowing James Houston Art Circle Library director to apply for the 2025 Technology Grant from the Tennessee State Library and Archives Department. Houston explained it's a 50/50 matching grant and he should have the matching funds in his budget.

Budget committee members Sue York, 1st District; and Charles Seiber, 4th District, did not attend the meeting.

Gary Nelson may be reached at gnelson@crossville-chronicle.com