Board approves ~30 grant awards (~$600K) and renews E&O insurance; council to ratify grants

The Murfreesboro board on Feb. 23 approved grant recommendations from its selection committee that would fund 30 organizations this cycle, a slate Speaker 2 described as roughly a 20 percent increase in recipients versus prior years and totaling about $600,000.

“The committee starts their work in October and ... put a lot of work into reviewing the grant applications,” Speaker 2 said, describing a process that included objective analysis and scoring. He said one applicant was removed from consideration for failing to file a required midyear progress report; the applicant may reapply next year.

Speaker 1 moved to approve the recommendations, the motion was seconded, and the board voted in favor. Speaker 2 said the slate will now go to council for an up-or-down vote and that staff (usually Kevin) will accompany recommendations to council in the coming weeks.

In other business the board approved a renewal of errors-and-omissions insurance with Cincinnati, which reduced the premium by about $600 from the prior year. Speaker 2 said the renewal would be bound while staff checks whether other market quotes suggest further savings.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of minutes dated 08/14/2025: motion carried (voice vote). (SEG 009–021)
- Approval of grant recommendations (30 organizations, ~ $600,000 total): motion carried; council review pending. (SEG 1044–1149)
- Approval of E&O insurance renewal (Cincinnati): motion carried; premium reduced by roughly $600. (SEG 1151–1180)

The board asked staff to schedule a meeting in late April or early May so the budget — which includes the grants slate — can be submitted to council by May 15. The meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.