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Commission debates Breath of Life Ministry grant for recovery-court transportation; motion to table fails
Summary
Breath of Life Ministry sought a Hamblen County open-abatement grant (application listed $135,400, with $85,000 already funded). Commissioners questioned duplication with ETHERA transportation services; a motion to table the item failed and the commission moved ahead with consideration.
Commissioners considered an open-abatement grant application from Breath of Life Ministry, a nonprofit working with the county’s recovery court. The organization's application in the packet requested $135,400; county staff indicated $85,000 of that request had already been funded in a prior allocation and that the current request would fund an additional driver and a van.
Commissioner questions focused on whether Breath of Life duplicates existing transportation services (referred to in the record as ETHERA) and whether the county should fund vehicle acquisition when other county transportation resources are available. One commissioner said the group is a 501(c)(3) and that the grant would pay for another driver and van. A county official explained the nonprofit works directly with recovery court participants in ways ETHERA does not.
A motion to table the grant for further review was made and seconded but failed in the roll-call vote; the chair then proceeded to a vote on the motion on the item and the motion passed as recorded in the meeting. Commissioners also asked staff to confirm accreditation and whether the provider was an approved recovery-court partner; staff confirmed the organization is recognized for the program and that documentation in the packet reflects prior approvals.
Speakers urged care in approving funds and asked staff to ensure the county is not duplicating services. The record shows commissioners voted after debate and the item moved forward.
