Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opioid Abatement Council authorizes $10,000 annual discretionary fund and approves purchase of an Owl camera
Summary
The council approved an annual $10,000 discretionary fund for the executive director to cover routine administrative expenses and authorized using that fund to purchase an Owl audiovisual device (about $2,000) to improve hybrid meeting capability.
The Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council voted April 28 to establish a $10,000 annual discretionary fund for the executive director and to allow the one‑time purchase of an Owl audiovisual device (estimated at about $2,000) to improve hybrid meeting capacity when members attend virtually.
Executive Director Mary Shelton told the council the office requests a discretionary fund for in‑person lunch meetings, a holiday dinner and recognition plaques for rotating members, estimating routine yearly needs at about $2,100 and noting the Owl camera is a separate, one‑time expense. The Owl device includes camera, microphone and speaker; staff tested one device at an AIM Center meeting in Chattanooga and reported positive feedback.
Dr. Ken Moore said staff need modest flexibility to avoid returning to the council for small administrative expenditures; he proposed $10,000 annually with quarterly invoice reporting. Dr. Moore moved the $10,000 annual discretionary amount and confirmed it would include the Owl purchase; Gen. Charm Allen seconded. The motion passed on roll call without recorded opposition.
The council instructed the executive director to provide quarterly reports of discretionary expenditures to the council. Members said the fund should be used only for routine administrative costs and that invoices should be available at regular intervals for oversight.
