Monroe County amends recycling-grant resolution to reflect 70/30 match with ARP funds

Monroe County Commission amended and approved a resolution for the Solid Waste Department to apply for a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation recycling equipment grant totaling $175,107, with a 70/30 grant-to-local match split; the county will supply the 30% match from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.

Commissioners discussed a discrepancy between the resolution text and the grant application about whether the award was a full grant or a 70/30 split. Commissioner DJ Siler pointed out the inconsistency: "The resolution says a %. The application says 70 30 split." A county official replied that the 30% match would come from ARP funds: "ARP funds. I'm sorry. That's my mistake." The commission voted to amend the resolution to reflect the 70/30 match and approved the amended motion by roll call.

The amendment clarifies the county's funding obligation if the grant is awarded and directs county finance staff to use ARP funding for the required local share. The grant application itself remains a request to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for recycling equipment; the county did not commit expenditures beyond using ARP funds as the source for the local match.

The motion to amend and the subsequent motion to approve the resolution as amended were made and seconded during the meeting; commissioners then recorded their votes by roll call.

The commission also introduced the county's new grants coordinator, Starla Russell, who was noted as recently joining the office and handling multiple grants immediately on arrival.