Sumner County's finance director told the Purchasing and Financial Management Committee the county faces a timing and coordination problem with a broadband-ready grant that lists the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) of Portland as a subrecipient.

“When we contacted TCAT of Portland, they have informed us that they've never heard of this grant,” the finance director said. County staff reported roughly $48,000 of the grant appeared to be allocated to TCAT, with about $100,000 total in the broadband-ready award in the packet.

Committee members heard that TCAT operates an internal evaluation and approval process involving its president and a committee; county staff do not know how long that review would take. The finance director said if TCAT declines, the county would need a formal amendment from the state and then must rebid parts of the project, which could push completion beyond the grant's timeline.

The committee asked staff to attempt a faster resolution by contacting the right TCAT officials and to update the committee as the county determines whether to pursue an amendment or identify alternative partners. The finance director said the grant is a one-time award and that timeframes could compress once state approvals and bidding steps begin, warning the committee that delays could imperil the portion of funds attributed to TCAT.

Committee members requested periodic updates; staff said they would provide additional information after talking to TCAT leadership and the state grant office.