Janice CasteelCLEVELAND, Tenn. -- City officials are taking stock of federal grants and considering what the impact would be if federal officials shrink them.
Michael Keith, city director of finance, prepared a report for Monday's Cleveland City Council meeting.
His first list, totaling nearly $600,000, is of grants "the city has traditionally received" annually, Keith wrote. They include $200,000 for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, $364,000 for a Community Development Block Grant, and $35,000 for a Police Justice Assistance Grant. The latest Police JAG grant, for $35,000, was announced Monday, to be used for video cameras in patrol cars.
The MPO money goes toward transportation planning for the metropolitan area. The community development grant is targeted to low- and moderate-income metro areas. The police grant goes toward officers' equipment.
Also, the city now is receiving one-time federal grants for law enforcement amounting to more than $1 million, including funding for four officers.
Other federal grants the city receives occasionally are for varying amounts for the greenway, Fletcher Park and Homeland Security for police and fire.
The two largest concentrations of federal money for the city are $5 million annually for schools and about $30 million for the new city airport.
"It is not an easy process to say the exact amount we could potentially lose as a result of cuts in Washington." Keith said.
City Manager Janice Casteel said the issue can be considered when the council meets later this year for its fiscal planning session.
"We probably need to come up with some contingency plans if we have to," Councilman Richard Banks said.
Contact staff writer Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.