News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County Budget Committee tabled appropriating funds towards the Rowland Sawmill efforts.
The committee discussed a desire to get more information before appropriating money from the general fund for the White County Heritage Museum work after Steering Committees asked the budget committee for consideration. County Finance Director Chad Marcum:
“They just really want to understand what they’re getting before they appropriate the funds, we had some verbal quotes but they really want to see in writing, before they appropriate the funding for that,” Marcum said. “I think they’re all in favor of it, but just want to make sure that they get all of their i’s dotted and t’s crossed first.”
Community members had asked the Steering Committees for help to fund cleaning up the area around the sawmill and to construct a structure around it. Resident Megan Dodson said quotes she received put clearing the land at some $7,000 and construction of the structure at around $18,000. Marcum said the commission should first focus on funding the clearing efforts to see how much fundraising will put towards building the structure itself.
“Appropriating up to $10,000 even if they’ll have raised money then that money has to be appropriated again,” Marcum said. “So I almost feel like we’re putting our cart before the horse by appropriating money for the building when we don’t know how much it will cost. So it makes sense to me to appropriate money to get it where needs to go.”
Museum Co-Director Peggy Hurteau said it is encouraging to see the county start to take action on restoration efforts. The county has owned the sawmill for six years.
“We’ve been working very hard, very hard, and there are a lot of people out there saying as soon as we see work in progress we’re donating our time and we’re donating our money,” Hurteau said. “So I’m very happy.”
Marcum said the quotes will go back before the budget committee before it can be considered for a vote from the full commission.
