Finance committee recommends turf funding split and budget calendar; commission approves both

Commissioner Blake reported the finance committee met and discussed several items: a resolution approving policies and procedures related to tax increment financing transactions for the Industrial Development Board and City of Cleveland (referred to legal and legislative committee); a recommendation that the mayor consider breaking Bradley County turf projects into two pieces (immediate financing for Blue Springs North and Irving Road, and using grant funds next year for Elrod); and a proposed fiscal budget calendar.

The commission voted on the turf financing recommendation after a motion: roll call returned 9 in favor and 5 opposed. Blake also moved (and the commission later considered) the fiscal budget calendar recommended by finance; the commission approved the budget calendar by roll call, 13 in favor and 1 opposed. Blake noted the calendar change: a previously scheduled Thursday “mega meeting” would be moved to Friday; commissioners were to vote on budget resolutions before July 1.

The finance report included other referrals and requests to the mayor (including allowing certain veteran organizations to apply for HCI funds conditional on policy changes). The transcript records discussion and the roll call tallies; the meeting did not record specific dollar amounts attached to the turf recommendation beyond a later referenced $1,000,000 CDBG possibility for turf projects.