Whitfield County commissioners approve funding for Domestic Violence Court

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, March 5, 2024

People in Domestic Violence Court “are changing their lives and the lives of their families,” said Conasauga Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris, who overseas the court.

Morris spoke Monday at a meeting of the Whitfield County Board of Commissioners.

Morris said that unlike other accountability courts, such as Drug Court, Domestic Violence Court does not hold a graduation ceremony. Those who complete the program write essays that are read in open court before her and the other participants in the program.

The commissioners voted 4-0 to approve $100,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to support Domestic Violence Court, whose 2024 grant funding was cut from $179,000 to $79,000.

Morris said the cut in the grant had nothing to do with the court, there were just more people applying for a smaller pot of money this year.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Jevin Jensen asked if those who take part in the program pay a fee.

“They do not,” said Morris. “They are paying for their classes, and they are paying for all of their treatment and they’ve got a whole lot of other things going on.”

Morris said court staff are looking at ways to increase the court’s grant funding for next year. County Administrator Robert Sivick said county staff are also looking to find grants and other outside funding for the court.

Founded in 2014, the court seeks to help people charged with domestic violence avoid reoffending by requiring them to complete a family violence intervention program and treatment for the underlying issues for their abusive behavior.

The commissioners also voted 4-0 to:

• Use $24,009 in ARPA money to extend sewer to Fire Station 2 at 4215 Cleveland Highway in Cohutta.

“We’ve got county facilities that are on septic that have just outlived the capacity, so we just need to move them over to sewer,” said Jensen.

• Approve Vulcan Materials of Dalton to supply various types of crushed stone. The Public Works Department uses different types of stone for various projects. The contract locks in prices, and the total amount will depend on how much the county buys

• Use $20,170 in ARPA funds for new duct work in the E911 building.

• Renew the fire department’s automatic aid agreement with Walker County Fire Rescue.

“It increases our coverage on the Westside,” said Jensen. “We help them on their Southside.”

Commissioner Barry Robbins asked if the agreement has worked so far. Fire Chief Edward O’Brien said it has. He said he had spoken to the Walker County fire chief and he agreed it was working.

“We train with them and go on calls with them,” O’Brien said.

Jensen said there is no money involved in the agreement and either side can cancel it with 90 days notice if they believe they aren’t getting the aid they were promised or they believe their resources are stretched just covering their own service area.

Jensen typically votes only when there is a tie.