County takes grants for cars, vaccine

Hamilton County commissioners voted Wednesday to accept federal funds for two cars for the Sheriff’s Office and for flu vaccine.

But the decisions didn’t come until after debate about how taking federal dollars obligates the county financially in future years.

“Eventually, these type of things show up in the county budget,” said Commissioner Richard Casavant. “That does concern me. I don’t know what to do about it, except to question each grant when it comes up. It’s not necessarily free money.”

Dr. Casavant said he wasn’t necessarily speaking about the two grants the commission approved Wednesday, but about grants that pay for equipment that quickly becomes obsolete and needs replacing.

County Mayor Claude Ramsey told commissioners the grant for the cars is “basically a gift” that helps pay for a need in the Sheriff’s office.

“It’s not something you have to match in the future,” he said.

Don Gorman, administration director for the Sheriff’s Office, said the $45,000 grant initially was meant to go toward palm-print scanners, but the funding for those came from a different grant. So the Sheriff’s Office decided to use the money to replace old cars.

The commission voted 8-1 in favor of the grant for the cars. Commissioner Warren Mackey, who routinely votes against using funds for new cars, was the lone “no” vote.

The commission also voted unanimously to accept a $1,075,000 grant for H1N1 vaccinations for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.

Health department Administrator Becky Barnes said vaccine has been coming into Hamilton County steadily and the funding should allow for adequate staffing.

“We will staff (for) as much demand as the community has,” she said.

MEETING CHANGE

Hamilton County commissioners will hold their agenda meeting on Wednesday rather than Thursday next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday.