Commissioners approve package of budget amendments, grants and ARP adjustments

Bradley County commissioners approved a package of budget amendments and grant adjustments that included a $150,000 increase in Juvenile Department revenue and expenses, a $50,000 extension for an existing Safe Baby Court contract, and several smaller line‑item adjustments and reimbursements.

Mayor Davis presented the amendments, saying the juvenile grant was an extension of an existing award and that the county would receive monthly reimbursements from the state. The board accepted the accounting amendments that increase both revenue and expenses to reflect the award. Commissioners also approved a $5,000 reimbursable grant, accepted $23,000 for archives storage and shelving after an OSHA review, and approved a $20 increase for a small revenue/expense reconciliation in Fire and Rescue.

Separately, commissioners approved payment of a $19,000 final invoice from RC&D for septic work under a two‑year contract that had been prepaid $75,000 in the first year. County staff said the contract permitted billing for the second year despite most sepctic work having been completed earlier; commissioners moved the cost to the interest bucket if necessary and voted to approve the payment.

The board also extended an existing Safe Baby Court contract for $50,000 to continue services from January through June 2025 after state legislation lifted a prior sunset provision. Staff said the prior allocation covered July–December 2024 and the additional $50,000 completes the fiscal year.

Other items bundled in the session included a finance journal correction moving interest into the proper bond interest line, acceptance of several opioid‑related amendments grouped together, approval of parks donations and tournament overtime accounting adjustments, and discussion about pickleball lights (no appropriation made during this meeting). Most items were approved by voice vote recorded as 4–0 with one commissioner absent.

Votes at a glance

- Juvenile grant (increase revenue/expenses $150,000): motion by Commissioner Mason; second Commissioner Alford; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - $5,000 reimbursable grant: motion by Commissioner Collins; second Commissioner Alford; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Safe Baby Court extension ($50,000, Jan–Jun 2025): motion by Commissioner Mason; second Commissioner Offord; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Archives storage shelving ($23,000): motion by Commissioner Collins; second Commissioner Offord; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Finance bond interest line correction (journal entry): motion by Commissioner Collins; second Commissioner Alford; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Legal fees/depreciation adjustment (county commission): motion by Commissioner Offord; second Commissioner Mason; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Opioid‑related amendments (items 7–11 taken as package): motion by Commissioner Mason; second Commissioner Alford; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Fire & Rescue small reconciliation ($20): motion by Commissioner Mason; second not specified; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - Bradley County Parks donation ($1,500): motion by Commissioner Mason; second Commissioner Collins; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent. - RC&D final invoice for septic contract ($19,000): motion by Commissioner Collins; second Commissioner Mason; outcome: approved 4–0, 1 absent.

Commissioners also scheduled a finance meeting for Feb. 10 to consider an HCI request at 1:15 p.m. and discussed timing constraints for ARP‑funded projects, noting the federal requirement that ARP work be ordered or contracted by Dec. 31 to qualify.