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Committee approves moving $260,000 in interest income to fund morgue design; sends amendment to county commission
Summary
Bedford County committee approved an amendment to transfer $260,000 in accumulated interest from debt service to the capital projects fund for morgue construction and sent the measure to the full county commission with a recommendation.
The Bedford County committee voted to forward a budget amendment to the county commission that would transfer $260,000 in accumulated interest from the debt service fund to the capital projects fund to pay for a planned morgue project.
The committee approved the motion to send the amendment with a recommendation after Robert (finance staff) told members the comptroller—s office had authorized using excess interest earned to fund capital work. "We talked to the comptroller's office because we have been getting extra money in interest and they gave us permission to actually move this money from interest," Robert said, explaining the transfer would move funds from the debt service account to the capital projects fund where morgue construction costs would be expended.
Committee members discussed the dollar amounts during the meeting. The amendment presented included $250,000 for project costs plus $10,000 as a contingency, a total of $260,000. Robert clarified the interest money is in excess of what the county budgeted and would not affect the current year's operating budget.
Staff said the need for a dedicated morgue arose after local hospitals reduced their handling of decedents. "Vanderbilt put us on notice months ago that they were not gonna be in a position to continue to manage those bodies for us," the Committee Chair noted during discussion, and staff described temporary measures using an older county refrigeration unit at the former workhouse while a permanent solution is developed. Staff also said EMS has been managing the work without additional hired staff but that current equipment is inadequate for longer-term needs.
With the committee's approval to send the amendment with a recommendation, the item will appear on the county commission agenda for final approval. The committee did not adopt the amendment itself; the vote sends a recommendation to the commission, which must approve the transfer before construction or procurement can proceed.
The committee also reiterated that the comptroller's office had characterized this transfer as a one-time use of interest earnings and cautioned that it should not become a routine funding source.
Notes on next steps: if the commission approves the amendment, staff may proceed with planning and procurement for the morgue project using the capital projects fund.
