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Cocke Finance Committee
Members of the Cocke County Finance Committee, meeting Monday evening declined to approve the transfer of funds within the sheriff's department and jail budgets. The jail has had growing medical costs this year, to the tune of about $600,000. The county recently contracted with a medical group in an effort to hold down costs. Chief Deputy Derrick Woods told the committee he believes to group has cut costs by $100,000 to $200,000 this year because the jail no longer has to rely primarily on the emergency room for health care. Woods said the medical line item is currently about $97,000 in the red, however state reimbursements will reduce that number. While medical costs are growing, the committee also was asked to approve transfers for the purchase of new tasers at $1,100 each, plus holsters and radio equipment. The committee also was asked to transfer $20,000 from the gasoline fund for the purchase of a used vehicle. Several other county departments also asked for transfers to balance the various funds as the fiscal year nears an end. All of the transfers were approved except for those in the sheriff's budget and the jail. Commission Chair Clay Blazer made a motion to accept all the transfers but his motion died for the lack of a second. And then the other transfers were approved. Several of the committee members indicated they do not want to see more equipment and another vehicle purchased, so long as there may be a need for the funding to balance the jail medical budget. The committee also heard from Anne Fontaine, of the Friends Animal Shelter. At the beginning of the fiscal year the county agreed to fund the shelter with $100,000 if the City of Newport funded the same level. Negotiations went on for several months at which time Newport decided to fund it's own shelter. But the county began funding the shelter at a monthly rate. Because payments didn't start till October, the county was $25,000 behind for the fiscal year. Fontaine asked the committee to approve the additional funding. She said the shelter is in need of a veterinarian, pointing out that in recent months, the facility has paid out nearly $8,000 for spay, neuter and illness services. According to Fontaine since the shelter reopened, it has taken in 518 animals and has adopted out 402, primarily through the Rolling Rescue which sends adoptable dogs to shelters in northern cities. "On top of that, I am willing to personally match that money if you folks would agree to give us the money that was approved last year," Fontaine told the members. The committee however declined to recommend the additional funding.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
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Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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