Rhea County accepts $422,400 Department of Health award for rural local health services

Rhea County commissioners voted to accept a $422,400 non-matching grant from the Tennessee Department of Health to support rural local health services for fiscal year 2026.

Overview: Resolution 25-08-63 authorizes acceptance of the state grant covering the period July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. The county packet includes the grant contract, federal award worksheets, a detailed budget showing salary and benefit line items, travel and program expense detail, invoicing instructions, and reporting and reconciliation templates. The contract limits the state’s maximum liability to $422,400 and requires final reconciliation and closeout procedures within 90 days of the contract end date.

Why it matters: The grant augments local public-health capacity for clinical and community health services in Rhea County and includes federal-award reporting requirements and state procurement and audit provisions.

Key administrative items: The contract requires monthly invoicing with supporting documentation, submission of a final grant disbursement reconciliation report within 90 days of contract expiration, and compliance with state procurement rules. The packet lists a salary budget and travel/training funds; indirect costs must be documented and justified per federal/state guidance.

Next steps: County health staff must submit invoices per the contract schedule, complete required electronic forms for audits, and prepare the annual and final reports as specified by the Department of Health. Failure to submit timely invoices or closeout reports may render costs non-reimbursable per contract terms.

Provenance: County commission resolution and attached grant contract documents read into the record.