Grant sought to ease Town expense burden
Town of Farragut is seeking matching grants to reimburse for expenses it spent on security.
In its meeting Thursday, Oct. 24, Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously passed resolutions to approve authorization for the Town to participate in the Public Entity Partners’ Property Conservation matching grant, James L. Richardson Driver Safety matching grant program and security grant.
“The Town’s property insurance coverage provider, Public Entity Partners, offers an annual matching grant for security equipment and devices,” Town recorder Allison Myers said. “The objective of the grant program is to help members purchase items designed to protect insured property from damage and loss.
“Proper security equipment can help prevent harm to Town employees and citizens, protect Town property from damage and may assist the Town in the recovery of stolen property or monetary reimbursement from an at-fault party for damages,” she added. “Security cameras will help prevent and record vandalism, theft, damage and general misconduct on Town owned property.
“Additionally, cameras and equipment will act as a deterrent to such conduct, assist the Town in pursuing legal action when merited and help protect the Town from false claims of wrongdoing or negligence.
If awarded,: the Property Conservation Matching Grant, Public Entity Partners will match what the Town spends on approved items to help protect insured property from damage or loss, with the maximum reimbursement amount based on a Property Coverage Classification Matrix as determined by Public Entity Partners,” Myers said. “The grant requires the resolution be passed by the governing body to authorize participation in the grant program.”
She said funding already is included in the approved FY2024-2025 budget, and reimbursement of up to $4,000 will be requested.
In the same vein, the Board approved a resolution to participate in the driver safety grant.
“The Town’s insurance coverage provider, Public Entity Partners, offers an annual matching grant for training or equipment purchases related to driver safety,” Myers said. “The objective of the grant program is to help members address training needs and safety concerns for employees who operate Town vehicles and purchase items designed to reduce automobile liability claims.
“The grant is a 50/50 matching grant for training and driver safety related purchases and 100 percent reimbursement for Motor Vehicle Record checks,” she added.
Myers explained an MVR check is performed on every Town employee authorized to drive Town vehicles. It provides information on the employee’s driving history so the Town can determine if these employees are eligible to drive Town vehicles.
The Town also plans to purchase replacement items for a driving course and training materials for driver safety.
“Funding is already included in the approved FY 2024-2025 budget,” Myers said. “Reimbursement of up to $1,000 will be requested.”
Along with those grants, the Board also passed a resolution to participate in a cyber security matching grant.
“The objective of the grant program is to help members with purchases related to cyber security tools, training and services to help protect from ransomware and social engineering attacks and allow members to increase their ability to qualify for Cyber Security Insurance coverage,” Myers said. “Funding is already included in the approved FY 2024-2025 budget. Reimbursement of up to $1,500 will be requested.”
