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Commission considers $200,000 cap for nonprofit funding as Branch House seeks county support
Summary
Commissioners debated a proposed $200,000 cap on county nonprofit funding and a process for distributing those funds; Branch House representatives presented program details and requested consideration for continued support.
The Sullivan County Commission heard a public presentation from Branch House — the county’s family justice and sexual-assault services center — and took up a resolution that would cap county nonprofit funding at $200,000 for fiscal allocations.
General Barry Stavos, who introduced the Branch House presentation, distributed informational packets and said the center provides services that are “essential” to local prosecutions and victim support. Renee Hendricks, director of Branch House, described the center’s services, partnerships with local law enforcement and hospitals, and its role in coordinating responses to sexual assault and human trafficking. Hendricks said the Branch House is “the only hybrid family justice center and sexual-assault center in the entire state of Tennessee” and that it provides free services and private exam rooms in several hospital locations.
Commissioner Harvey sponsored the resolution to establish a capped budget of $200,000 for selected nonprofits. Harvey said the cap is lower than amounts in recent budgets but noted the proposal excludes fire and rescue funding and that many nonprofits provide services that save the county money. “This resolution was created to establish a capped budget of $200,000 to fund selected non profits in Sullivan County,” Harvey said.
Commission discussion focused on process: commissioners requested that request forms be sent to nonprofits, that the administrative committee review submissions and forward recommendations to the budget committee, and that the full commission make final appropriations. Commissioner Locke asked that the county administrator’s office send request forms upon passage so the budget committee will have applications to evaluate; commissioners agreed to amend procedures and to bring the resolution back for final action next week as a second reading.
No final appropriations were made at the meeting; commissioners scheduled the resolution for second reading on the next regular calendar. Branch House representatives were invited to provide more information at the follow-up meeting and to work with the administrative and budget committees on any request for county support.
