News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County officials want to use some COVID-19 money from the state to become ADA compliant.
“Your ADA, it started out in 1990 and it never was taken care of,” County Executive Jimmy Johnson said. “They came back in 1998, possibly 2000 and they had been after to get it done, the federal folks have, with ADA.”
Johnson said the county has not been ADA compliant for over 20 years. State and federal officials have threatened fines and reduced funding if the issue is not fixed. Johnson said the county is currently accepting bids for the project.
“Anytime you get funding from anywhere to help you do stuff, it’s always encouraging,” Johnson said. “A lot of times you don’t have a tax base you don’t have in your funding that comes from your taxes and your county.”
Cities and counties must submit information to the state for approval after July 1. The funds must be used for capitol projects, IT equipment, roads, highways, and public safety.
Johnson said he hopes to use leftover funding for ambulances, EMS, the Sheriff’s Department, highway, and updating the courthouse.
