Morford Street money not currently in budget

Will city officials find $250,000 in the 2008-09 budget to fund the second phase of the Downtown Economic Revitalization project? At risk is the $1.2 million TDOT grant awarded in 2005.
After being questioned by a citizen, Alderman Jimmy Haley presented the inquiry to his fellow officials during Tuesday night’s board meeting.
‘What is the status of phase two of Main Street’? asked Haley.
On the front page of the 2008-09 proposed budget, the item ‘Phase II Main Street ‘ Local Match’ is listed under ‘Items discussed but not included in budget.’ Under those is a list titled ‘Items requested but not included in budget.’
In October 2005, the city received $975,000 from TDOT to help fund phase two. Since that time, the amount increased to $1.2 million when the city hired a TDOT-approved engineer. The grant requires a 20 percent match of about $250,000.
For more than two-and-a-half years, the city has not moved forward with phase two. Although the grant money did not have to be spent immediately, there is a time limit.
Haley knew the funding for the match was not placed in the budget. He wants to know how much longer the city can wait before the state steps in and takes the grant back.
According to city administrator David Rutherford, the city is in danger of losing the grant if the project doesn’t begin soon. With this in mind, he will be working with the engineer to get construction costs down.
Back in March, officials received a preliminary estimate from engineer James C. Hailey. The project estimate given at that time was $2.2 million. However, Rutherford wanted to get the cost down to $1.5 or $1.6 million.
Bringing the cost down to $1.5 million will leave the city paying around $250,000 ‘ the 20 percent match required in order for the city to use a $1.2 million grant.
However, the 2008-09 city budget does not include the money necessary for the match. Elected officials must either cut something from the budget and/or increase the tax rate in order to add $250,000 for Morford Street phase two ‘ only one of several items discussed, but not added into the budget.
No other grants are available to help pay for the project. Although the city received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the first phase of downtown, it does not meet the requirements ‘ namely projected jobs created ‘ in phase two, according to Rutherford.
Haley also raised the question about re-applying for the grant necessary to move forward with the second phase of Barren Fork Greenway.
Rutherford made the decision to stop applying for the grant with the same application. It was submitted twice and denied both times. If a new one is written, it can be sent. However, if received, that grant would also require a match.
‘I don’t think it should be the policy of this city to apply for more grants when we don’t have the match for the one we already have,’ said Mayor Royce Davenport.
Finance Committee members must meet to discuss the proposed budget. No date has been scheduled for that. After committee approval, the budget must get the approval of the full board.

Other items discussed but not included in budget:

‘ Funding for Main Street McMinnville ‘ $50,000
‘ Funding for Industrial Development Board ‘ $96,500
‘ Funding for Buxton study ‘ $70,000
‘ Funding for non-profits ‘ $42,412
‘ Park officer – salary plus benefits ‘ $45,100
‘ Deputy fire chief – salary plus benefits ‘ $68,500
‘ Chamber Three Star program ‘ $10,000
‘ AEI-Gateways ‘ $10,000
‘ Public Image Study ‘ $80,000

Items requested but not included in budget:

‘ Emergency Management (additional funds) ‘ $25,250
‘ Chamber Progress Scholarship Fund ‘ $7,000
‘ Chamber of Commerce tourism (additional funds) ‘ $10,000
‘ Southside Senior Citizens ‘ $4,000
‘ Sunny Day Adult Care ‘ $2,500
‘ Warren County Cares Program ‘ $2,500
‘ Warren County Delivery Meals ‘ $8,000
‘ Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency ‘ $4,050
‘ Retired Senior Volunteer Program ‘ $500
‘ WCTE TV ‘ $10,000
‘ Wayne Wolford books on conserving history ‘ $3,399