On Oct. 22 the Milton Community Enhancement Program committee recommended a package of grant awards to local nonprofits and a departmental request to establish a sheriff’s mounted‑patrol unit.

Key committee actions and amendments approved in committee (amounts shown are committee recommendations):
- Feed the Needy — amended to $50,000 (multiple commissioners increased the allocation in committee via amendments; Feed the Needy requested funds for Thanksgiving and Easter food-basket distribution). Ruth Rawlin Banks, CEO of Feed the Needy, told commissioners the agency would otherwise have to cut thousands of food baskets due to rising food costs.
- Sheriff’s Office — $100,000 for start-up costs to establish a mounted patrol unit (funds to purchase up to six horses, trailers, saddles/tack, veterinarian services and officer outfitting). Officers said the unit will patrol parks and attend community events; the department estimated 3–6 months to operationalize the unit after procurement and training.
- New Memphis Institute — committee amended award to $51,000 (original caption $36,000; committee amended upward and approved conditional funding).
- Shelby Farms Park Conservancy — $15,000 (add-on approved in committee).
- West Cancer Foundation — $12,500 (amended in committee from $10,000 to $12,500).

Commissioners used their allocations and several amendments in committee to increase awards as requests were presented. Members asked departments and recipients to provide documentation and be ready for Monday’s full commission; several commissioners noted uncertainty around county financial systems during the Oracle conversion and urged staff to ensure payments are executable.

Why it matters: The CEP grants provide one‑time operational support to neighborhood-serving nonprofits and department start-ups; the mounted patrol seed money is a new county law‑enforcement capability that commissioners said will support park safety and community engagement.