Granville County conditionally allocates $19,000 to Toler Community Outreach Club, tables Stem park expansion

Granville County commissioners voted to allocate $19,000 to the Toler Community Outreach Club for construction of a bathroom structure and septic system but approved a condition that the funds not be released until the organization proves it has completed its 501(c)(3) paperwork.

The board debated the item after Carlton Thornton, assistant planning director, presented last year's mini-grant projects and this year's recommendations. Thornton said the advisory committee recommended funding the Toler project at the full $19,000 because a $10,000 cap for 501(c)(3) organizations would not cover both septic work and the building. He described the Toler park as the only park within roughly a 15-mile radius for some residents and said lack of restroom facilities could discourage community use.

Commissioners pressed staff on several issues: whether the Toler nonprofit had completed federal tax-exempt filings, how unspent or misapplied funds from a prior bench project in Butner should be resolved, and the town of Stem's buy-in for its Jack Day Park expansion. Stem's project estimate was presented as $32,375, with the town requesting $19,000 from county mini-grant funds.

County attorney advised the board it could allocate funds while withholding release until conditions in the grant agreement are met, including proof of 501(c)(3) status. The revised motion the board adopted directs staff to allocate the Toler grant but requires proof of tax-exempt status and satisfaction of other grant conditions before releasing funds. The motion passed by voice vote.

On the Stem request to expand Jack Day Park (requested $19,000, total estimated cost $32,375), commissioners said they wanted clearer documentation of the town's financial participation and recent county contributions to the park. The board voted to table the Stem item until staff provides additional clarification and budget history.

The board also discussed an earlier grant to the Butner Community Association that purchased five benches; staff said three had been installed and two remain unplaced pending a sidewalk or parking project, and that the association has until September to place the remaining benches or the county may seek repayment or an amendment to the grant agreement.

The board directed staff to return with documentation on the Toler 501(c)(3) status, the Butner bench placement options, and Stem's funding commitments before any funds are released or the Stem application is reconsidered.