Committee approves $96,004.94 in ARP funds to keep Cleveland Emergency Shelter operating

The Bradley County finance committee voted unanimously to reallocate the remaining amount in a county ARP housing bucket—$96,004.94—to the Cleveland Emergency Shelter for operational needs.

Mayor summarized a city letter and county materials asking that funds originally designated for new construction be used for shelter operations while the city pursues a separate grant and matching tax increase. "I'm proposing $96,004.94 that we give the shelter," the mayor said, asking the committee to use the remaining housing-bucket balance. Committee members discussed federal reporting constraints and the need to record the expenditure in the housing bucket to meet ARP reporting requirements.

Committee members asked whether the amount will sustain operations and were told no specific timeline was provided by the shelter; the mayor indicated the funds should help through the current budget year and until federal or state funding resumes. Commissioner Slater indicated the committee will require the shelter to resubmit a spending plan for the reduced amount; staff will hold the $30,000 portion for the shelter in escrow pending a resubmission.

Commissioner Hughes moved the appropriation and Commissioner Slater seconded; the motion passed 5–0. "What we'll do is go ahead and send them a check for that amount of money," the mayor said after the vote. Staff will process the payment and record the transaction in ARP reporting.

The committee emphasized that the funds are for operations, not construction of a new facility, and that continued participation by the county after this allocation would be a separate decision.