CHRISTIAN GRANTHAM, Post Contributor
Posted: Friday, June 11, 2010 9:29 am

The Rutherford County Commission met Thursday night to continue reviewing the upcoming county budget.

Commissioners approved a request from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to apply for a federal COPS grant that U.S. Congress has funded with $280 million. If approved, the Rutherford County could get up to 15 new officers.

"If we do win, it covers all the officers full-time salaries and benefits for three years at 100 percent," RCSO Lt. Phillip Martin told commissioners. "At the end of the three year (grant), we have to retain them at a minimum of 12 months at the conclusion of the grant."

The commission also approved use of a $300,000 grant from the Christy-Houston Foundation to purchase four ambulances. The mayor and commissioners expressed how grateful they were for the grant.

"Whoever found this deal for ambulances for $300,000 saved us tons of money," Commissioner Will Jordan said. "That's good work on finding that."

"It's really truly a blessing that the Christy-Houston Foundation decided to give this donation to us for these ambulances," Commissioner Doug Shafer added.

One of the more interesting exchanges was between Commissioner Robert Peay and Director of Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services Mike Nunley over a request for four $1,100 ergonomically designed chairs for dispatchers.

"We can't find anything more reasonable than an $1,100 chair?" Peay asked.

Nunley explained the sheriff's office hasn't replace them in five years. Mayor Ernest Burgess backed Nunley.

"I think the primary reason is for doing this is for the health and safety of these people sitting in them so they don't development back problems or otherwise," Burgess told the commission.

Peay was the only "no" vote on the request citing his concerns for spending $1,100 on chairs.

"I can vote for everything else," Peay said, "but until I come out and sit in the chair I'm going to have a problem spending 1,100 bucks for a chair."

The county commission will accept public comment on the 2010-2011 budget from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 on the second floor of the Historic Rutherford County Courthouse. The commission will review public comment and the budget Wednesday.