Franklin County approves TDOT litter-grant application that outlines inmate roadside crews

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously May 25 to authorize County Mayor Richard Stewart to apply for a Tennessee Department of Transportation litter-collecting grant for fiscal year 2018–2019 and to execute any contracts if the grant is awarded. The motion to adopt Resolution 1-052518 was made by Commissioner Dave Van Buskirk and seconded by Doug Goodman; the vote was recorded as 12–0.

The resolution’s exhibits describe how the county would use the grant. Exhibit A outlines a work plan that would employ inmates housed in the county jail to collect litter along county and state roads. The plan calls for inmates to be transported in a covered truck with a guard present, requires participants to wear safety vests and use gloves and bags, and prohibits using prisoners with felony convictions for roadside activity. The plan anticipates daily collection five days a week using an area rotation system and monthly reporting to TDOT.

Exhibit B sets the grant budget at $50,600 for the applicable period (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019), with $37,950 allocated to salaries, benefits and taxes and $12,650 listed for education activities including student, public, media and government outreach. The education plan (Exhibit A) proposes school visits (targeting second graders), public outreach events, radio spots, a social media presence and partnerships with Tim’s Ford State Park for summer youth events.

The resolution was sponsored by Van Buskirk and Goodman and authorizes the County Mayor to execute all documents required to accept and administer the grant. The commission’s action was limited to authorizing the application and potential contract execution; the transcript does not record any immediate implementation beyond the written work plan and budget.

The meeting recessed briefly at the mayor’s request and then resumed business; no public comment on the grant is recorded in the minutes.