Commission considers funding for Juneteenth and ARPA

Chester County Mayor Barry Hutcherson and the Chester County Commission met in regular session Monday evening at the courthouse.
Marles and Sylvia Flowers, on behalf of the Oasis Community Development Center, asked the Chester County Commission to make a contribution of $5,000 to the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration.
The contribution would be to help fund the 3-day event in honor of the Juneteenth federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The three days of programming are set to include music, art, spoken-word, food, games, festivities and the opportunity to hear from elected officials in office and those seeking to be in office.
Questions and statements followed. With the end of the county’s fiscal year nearing, commissioners questioned how much they could contribute but it was said that they could consider it for future years.
Commissioner Kevin Faulkner wanted to wait to see what the city contributes, which will be decided today, May 12 at their May meeting. The City of Henderson Aldermen postponed making a decision from the April meeting to the May meeting for the same reason of being at the end of their fiscal year.
Commissioner Jackie Butler asked if other communities will be able to ask for the same amount for celebrations of their communities. He mentioned he was worried about starting a trend if communities wanted to start asking for the same amount of money.
Commissioner Ann Moore asked if the commission could just leave it up to the budget committee to make the decision in their meeting Tuesday evening, but Commissioner Tim Crowe, head of the budget committee, stated that should not be the way it is handled.
“I don’t mind one bit that our committee consider the request moving forward for the budget and bring back to our entire commission to vote on, but I don’t think we have the authority to, that any committee has the authority to vote and approve anything. All we have the authority to do is make recommendations.”
The indecisiveness “disappointed” Sylvia.
“I am appalled… I’m very hurt. I very am. And disappointed,” she stated.
Eventually, Commissioner Crowe motioned to make a contribution of $1,000 coming out of the General Fund with a second by Commissioner Bell. It passed with a vote of 16-0. Commissioners Joseph Melaro and Todd Lewis were absent that evening.
The request will be considered for future years by the budget committee.
The Chester County University of Tennessee Extension Center along with Chester County High School Future Farmers of America presented to the commission a proposal for some of the ARPA funds to be used for an overhead outdoor arena at the old fairgrounds on Fourth Street.
The arena, also which would be known as The Chester County Agriculture and Education Center Outdoor Arena, will be a 100 x 200 covered arena providing 20,000 square feet of space.
Other entities that would benefit from the arena include the Henderson|Chester County Chamber of Commerce, Chester County Schools, county departments and public and private organizations or individuals upon the approval of the county.
As the proposal states, “This project is designed to be an economic development, tourism, agricultural and educational benefit to Chester County.”
Uses of the arena include: Chester County agriculture, family, consumer sciences and 4-H programs like the 4-H Fair, Ag Day livestock shows, judging clinics, demonstration classes, day camps, the adult master beef program and more.
The proposal included a recommendation of the project from Chester County Director of Schools, Troy Kilzer II.
The amount of ARPA funds they requested for the project is $350,000.
With the different projects Chester County Schools may do in the area, Commissioner Terry Bell recommended there be a master plan for the fourth street area.
“I love the idea, but whole area needs a master plan thought through,” Bell said.
Rescue Squad also made a request for some of the ARPA funds. They requested $25,000 for the replacement of operating funds to assist in sustaining solvency of the organization and $19,784 for an upgrade to their communications.
All of the following items on the commission’s agenda were approved with all present in favor: approval for the City of Henderson to use TDEC Grant; Approval for the resolution of CDBG Program; approval for the resolution of Litter Grant; approval of confirmation letter for ThreeStar; approval of continuing agreement with JMCGH District and Chester County; approval for six-year reappraisal plan; approval of Board of Equalization and the approval for continuing services of SWTDD for the Planning Commission.
The Chester County Commission also approved Sara Knoell, Melinda Carroll, Jean Smith, Larry Bloomingburg and Carolyn Higgins as library board members. The last member will be decided by the city.