YMCA Seeks $7,312 Reimbursement for Ice Storm Emergency Shelter

Dickson County commissioners advanced the request after the facility housed residents without power for approximately a week.

CHARLOTTE — Dickson County commissioners advanced a request to reimburse the YMCA $7,312 for expenses incurred while operating an emergency shelter during an ice storm, with county officials emphasizing the importance of keeping that partnership available for future emergencies.

The request was presented during the commission’s October 5 work session. County Mayor Danny Williams said the YMCA opened its facility to residents who were left without electricity, providing a place to stay for approximately a week.

Williams described an emergency response that involved both the community organization and local officials. He credited the sheriff and others with helping bring residents to the shelter after they became stranded at home without power.

The proposed payment would reimburse the YMCA for the cost of keeping the shelter open. Williams said the money would come from Fund 172, identified earlier in the meeting as the county’s community development and industrial park fund.

Commissioners voted to move the reimbursement request forward for consideration at a regular commission meeting. The work session vote was not final authorization of the payment.

YMCA representative Paul Pitney attended the meeting and was available to answer questions. He did not give a separate presentation during the discussion.

Williams said Pitney had raised the reimbursement issue with him during the campaign. At the time, Williams said he wanted to wait until the county’s books were closed and officials could determine whether money was available in the fund used to support nonprofit organizations.

With the year-end financial information available, Williams brought the request to commissioners and expressed his support.

The mayor framed the reimbursement as recognition of the YMCA’s response during the storm and a way to maintain cooperation ahead of another emergency.

“If we have another storm or another emergency, I want to be able to call on him to open the shelter up,” Williams said.

The discussion highlighted the role a community facility can play when prolonged power outages leave residents needing somewhere safe to stay. In this case, the YMCA provided the shelter space while local responders helped residents reach it.

The amount requested was presented as reimbursement for the YMCA’s shelter expenses. An itemized breakdown of those costs was not discussed during the work session.

Commissioner Randy Simpkins made the motion to advance the request, and the motion received a second. No opposition was voiced during the vote.

The reimbursement now moves to the regular commission meeting for consideration, with Williams urging support for a facility the county may need to call upon again when severe weather disrupts residents’ lives.