Van Buren Head Start Needs Emergency Project Funds
The Van Buren County Head Start is making an urgent one-time requests to the federal government for two projects. UCHRA Executive Director Mark Farley said these large-scale projects need to be done on the Head Start property. Farley said one item is renovations to the HVAC system, which could cost some $60,000. “We also need […]
WCTE Hosting Telethon To Raise Money, Boost Membership
Just weeks after learning it will lose some $1 million in federal funding, local PBS affiliate WCTE will ask local residents to join the station and support its work. WCTE President and CEO Avery Hutchins said the station will remind residents Wednesday to “Support Local, Watch Local.” Hutchins said there will be conversations about the […]
New Budget Means New Funding Mechanism For Schools
The Putnam County Commission’s decision to use a percentage of sales tax revenue to fund schools a welcome revenue boost, according to School Board Member Kerry Ledbetter. The new county budget passed last week includes the change to a formula of 50 percent of sales tax revenue. Ledbetter said the change back will not only […]
Cookeville Senior Center Denied More Funding From County
The Cookeville Senior Center expected to receive the same amount of county funding in the new fiscal year as it received this year. The center had requested more in this year’s budget. Center Director Maxine Frasier said the new money would have gone a long way in combating rising prices. Frasier said increased costs of […]
Putnam School Board Members Believe In Revenue Change
Putnam County School Board members favor the proposal to revert school system funding to 50 percent of the sales tax revenue from the current flat rate method. Kim Cravens said the change has been in discussion for years. Cravens said when the county changed to the flat after the 2008 recession, it was a blessing. […]
UC Head Start Officials Worry About Federal Budget Cuts
LBJ&C Head Start officials said funding for this year is set, but federal spending cuts are a long-term concern. The federally-funded program provides free early childhood education services to low income families. LBJ&C Director Penny Meadows said Head Start needs funding to stay the same or increase so it can continue to help people across […]
More Money, Better Funding Plan Coming For Centers
Putnam County Commissioners will vote later this month on increased funding for local senior center, then the county will get to work on a more systemized approach to budgeting. Centers in Baxter, Monterey, and Algood have been receiving $15,000 annually, with $40,000 allocated to Cookeville last year. Commissioners grew uncomfortable during the budget process when […]
Sexton: State Working To Get All On TISA Same Page
While some school officials are frustrated with changes surrounding the state’s TISA funding model, House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he believes the plan has been clearly explained. Sexton said with some 130 districts in the state, getting everyone on the same page can be a challenge. Several Upper Cumberland Directors have voiced frustration or confusion […]
Robinson: Annual Railroad Funding Needed From State
No railroad funding in the new state budget a concern to White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson. Robinson chairs the Tri-County Railroad Authority. He said funding for railroad maintenance has become hard to come by. Robinson said Governor Bill Lee gave $85 million for railroads in 2019, but that funding is set to run out […]
Heady And Other UC Mayors Asked Bill Lee For Recurring Funding
Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady among six Upper Cumberland Mayors who met with Governor Bill Lee to request recurring county funding. Heady said state government has always been open to offering the Upper Cumberland funding when available. He said he appreciates Lee advocating for rural communities, and long-term revenue commitment is another way for him […]
