November 16, 2011 Edition

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County to maintain grant writer

Leslie Ginn
Staff Writer

Last Monday the Quorum Court decided to retain the position of county grant writer, presently filled by Emily Hathcock, as part of the decisions regarding the 2012 county budget.

There was $39,000 of available funds that had not yet been assigned to constitutional and legally required offices. The cost to retain the grant writer totaled $31,000.

Justice Junior Briner said, "(Hathcock) is generating enough money to justify her position. She has already brought in $77,000 in 2011 and she presently has written another $830,000 grants that we are waiting to hear decisions on."

"As long as the numbers are solid then there should not be any problems in retaining the position," said court member Alex Latham.

County Judge Dale Freeman said, "I don't want to see the county go in the red in any way. However, I believe the grant writer is a real asset to the county. If the grants are not written correctly, then the county will not get any grant money whatsoever."

It was decided to preserve the county grant writer position with the stipulation to re-evaluate budget needs in July. Grants written by Hathcock support several county organizations, such as fire departments, schools, cities and The Children's Shelter.

Budget discussion included announcements of the total appropriations including general fund, $3,242,290; county road fund, $1,562,761; enhanced 911 fund, $304,947; county recorder fund $123,156; and county library fund $361,429.

In other business, justices:

set the tax millage rate through an ordinance levying real and personal taxes to be collected in 2012.
approved two budget cleanup ordinances redirecting approximately $4,000 back into funds for the sheriff's department.
were advised that all FEMA money received due to emergencies experienced within the last year are to be placed in the county road department.
approved a resolution in favor of writing a grant request for a total of $27,978 to supply The Children's Shelter with a new van, a commercial freezer and reconditioned floors.
justices approved a resolution to clarify the Lawrence County Quorum Court as the locally appointed commission to promote preservation and heritage in the county. This action was necessary to write grants to support county heritage preservation.

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