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Jackson County outlines grant application process, considers $50,000 funding pool and changing financial statement preparer
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a proposed application and rating matrix for a county funding assistance program, discussed setting a $50,000 budget for awards, and directed that the proposed procurement of a new preparer for county financial statements (UHY) be added to the next meeting agenda.
Jackson County commissioners reviewed a proposed application process and scoring matrix to distribute county funding to community organizations and discussed setting a budget for awards, while county staff proposed hiring a new preparer for the county’s financial statements.
County staff presented a draft application form that requests organizational information, project description, goals, milestones, timeline, project budget, proof of nonprofit status (if applicable), evidence of matching funds and recent financial statements or audits. The proposed process includes requiring recipients to submit an itemized closeout report, invoices and a signed attestation that funds were used for the approved purpose.
Commissioners said they supported the form but recommended adding a firm application deadline and a process to grade and narrow applicants before inviting finalists to present. Staff recalled prior discussion that the commission could set aside a $50,000 total budget for awards and then decide award amounts per recipient; Commissioner Hamrick (as referenced in discussion) had previously suggested that $50,000 could support multiple applicants. Commissioners favored first evaluating applications and then selecting a short list for more detailed questions rather than inviting every applicant to present in person.
Separately, staff reported problems with the county’s current single‑operator financial statement preparer and recommended soliciting a new firm. Staff presented a qualifications proposal from UHY (office: Springfield, Tennessee) to prepare fiscal year financial statements and provide an enhanced review workflow, including two additional quality‑review letters prior to audit to reduce audit delays. Commissioners agreed to place the proposal on the next meeting’s new business agenda for formal consideration.
Ending
Commissioners asked staff to add the funding application and the UHY financial statement proposal to the next meeting agenda, to set and advertise an application deadline for the community funding program, and to return with recommendations on the award budget and applicant review schedule.
