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Community Clinic support deferred by Shelbyville council

By DAVID MELSON - dmelson@t-g.com
Posted 10/18/22

A decision on a requested $30,000 contribution to the non-profit Community Clinic of Bedford County was deferred a month Thursday by Shelbyville City Council. New City Manager Scott Collins was …

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Community Clinic support deferred by Shelbyville council

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A decision on a requested $30,000 contribution to the non-profit Community Clinic of Bedford County was deferred a month Thursday by Shelbyville City Council. New City Manager Scott Collins was authorized to find possible grant sources.
Council member Ricky Overcast made the motion to defer while strongly emphasizing he supports the clinic. Medical and dental services are supplied to low-income residents of Bedford County and Shelbyville at reduced, and sometimes no, cost.
“I think it’s a great thing and I’m for it, but I think we need to see if anything’s out there,” Overcast said.
The vote was 5-0. Council member Henry Feldhaus was absent.
Clinic director Fredia Lusk was asked by Council member Marilyn Ewing if funding grants from agencies, government or charitable, are being received.
Lusk said the clinic received a $10,000 donation last Wednesday, and has applied for several grants with no response, but she knew of no grants being received. She asked Collins for help in finding grants.
Agencies often ask those requesting grants if their city governments are giving donations, Lusk said.
“I have to tell them no,” Lusk said. “I can say Bedford County is giving $60,000 in-kind for both medical and dental and we receive nothing from the city, nothing from United Way of Bedford County, so we’re just struggling,” Lusk said.
City Treasurer Kay Parker said the City budgeted $2,600 to the clinic and gave another $1,300 last year. Lusk said she had no record of those funds.
Lusk said BlueCrossBlueShield donated $180,000 to purchase dental equipment used by Meharry Medical College students to treat patients, and other funds were donated by individuals including patients in 2020-21.
Ewing asked how far the $30,000 would go if placed in their account.
Lusk said Meharry keeps $55 for each patient treated and gives the clinic $5.
“Right now our expenses exceed our revenue,” Lusk said. “With the money we received Wednesday, I would estimate we have enough money to last till March or April 2023.”
Lusk said costs have doubled in the past year, especially for dental supplies, due to supply chain issues. Free medicine is available from medical companies for some patients, she said.
Partnership funds
Council debated how much annual contribution to give to the Shelbyville-Bedford County Partnership, the jointly-funded venture that replaced the industrial/retail recruitment arm of Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce.
Overcast praised Partnership director Shane Hooper’s work and suggested giving $210,000 again, as was given last year. Ewing felt $100,000, equal to the amount being given by Bedford County, was “sufficient.”
A vote to give $210,000 failed 3-2, with William Christie, Gary Haile and Ewing against and Overcast and Stephanie Isaacs in favor.
Christie made a motion to match Bedford County’s $100,000 donation. The vote passed 3-2 with Overcast and Isaacs against.
Greenway
Approval was given 5-0 for the Tennessee Department of Transportation contract to construct a greenway from Duck River off West Holland Street (near an abandoned branch bank) to River Bottom Park. A multi-use path and river overlook are included. The city’s estimated cost is $445,922.60.
Certificate approved
Approval was given for a Certificate of Compliance for The Brass Lantern, 1608 Madison St.,
The owner, Austin Kimball Adams and God’s Grace Trust, is opening a business described in a council study session as an “antique mall with a sandwich bar” in the old Barr’s Furniture building.
With the approval, beer and liquor licenses may be obtained.
Purchases
Purchases approved include:
•A new road tractor ($132,000) for the Solid Waste Department to be included in the fiscal year 2024 budget, since estimated delivery time is at least one year.
•A utility tractor ($22,450) for Shelbyville Police Department, to be funded through a $12,300 grant and police equipment fund.
•A recording system for 911 calls ($31,400), funded through a federal grant.
•A bunker and field rake, funded through a federal grant.
Two pickup trucks and a mower were declared surplus and will be sold.
Rezoning requests
A request by Black Diamond Construction for the southern portion of 53 acres of land on the west side of Green Lane, roughly across from Northside Park Drive, from medium to high density residential was approved 5-0 on first reading.
Rezonings from low to medium density residential were approved for 30 acres of land around the Brown Lane-Fairfield Pike intersection were approved 5-0 on second and final reading. Curl Properties and J.D. and Becky Bradford are owners of the affected properties.
Appointment
Jenni Feldhaus was appointed to a 5-year term on the Shelbyville Housing Authority board by Mayor Wallace Cartwright. Feldhaus, wife of City Council member Henry Feldhaus, has served on the board in the past.