County antes up for ACCAC
Anderson County Commission approved giving Anderson County Community Action Committee (ACCAC) $7,650 Monday night, but not without some commissioners’ reservations.
The funds are half of $15,300 the non-profit agency owes the Internal Revenue Service for back payroll taxes.
Ron Young, the interim chairman of ACCAC originally presented the request to County Commission in September, was on hand to answer any questions.
And there were quite a few.
The number one vocal opponent of giving the service funds was First District Commissioner Chuck Fritts.
“We turned away a lot of non-profits for money,” Fritts said. “I hate to reward a non-profit for mismanagement.”
Fritts began again and Young attempted to say something.
“Do you mind if I finish what I’m saying sir?” Fritts said in a stern tone.
Young apologized.
“We are rewarding a non-profit for not doing what was legally right,” Fritts continued.
Commissioner Denver Waddell went to the heart of the matter: “What happened to the money (to pay payroll taxes)?” he asked Young.
Young explained that he had no first hand knowledge of what had happened — he’s only been on the ACCAC board for three months or so, but his understanding was the former director had suffered numerous health issues, had missed applying for grants that Young said “She would have gotten” and “may have” used the funds to continue some of ACCAC’s programs.
Young said whatever the reasons were, “The money just never came in.”
He pointed out the agency, when finally made aware of the situation via the IRS and audits, has been paying down what was originally owed, but time has become an issue because the agency can not apply for more grants until the IRS is satisfied.
Fritts again said he didn’t feel right paying the funds. He asked why the agency needed employees, why it couldn’t just get volunteers for the positions.
“If you don’t have the money to do it, you don’t do it,” he said.
ACCAC, it was pointed out, helps about 400 families a month who would otherwise not be able to even feed themselves. It also plays a large roll in helping less fortunate families during the winter months with heat bills.
Commissioner Steve Meade asked if there was a way to make sure a situation like that never happened again.
Young said Eat Tennessee Human Resources Agency (ETHRA) will take on oversight of the agency once the IRS matter is settled.
The Commission approved the funds — which will go to ACCAC as a donation for “community service needs” and the agency will use it as needed.
Commission voted 10-5 in favor of the funs, Fritts, Waddell, Shain Vowell, Tim Isbel, and Phil Yager voting, “no.”
Commissioner Josh Anderson abstained from the vote, explaining to commission before the vote was taken that he had a personal involvement with the agency.
It is expected Clinton City Council will approve the other half of the agency’s request at its Monday night meeting, Oct. 22.