The Hamilton County Commission voted on Wednesday, November 15th, to remove more than one million dollars in funding voted on and approved for ULGC and Sankofa, respectively, to advance their organizational missions as approved by the county commission. The funds were awarded by county resolution on July 6, 2022, and August 3, 2022, with resources stemming from The American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 117th United States Congress on March 21, 2021, designed to facilitate the United States’ recovery from the devastating economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the Treasury’s Consolidated Appropriations Act issued a final rule in August 2023 for Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLRF) which ensured that governments have the resources needed to support the communities including support for “impacted” and “disproportionately impacted” which noted that disproportionately impacted classes faced meaningfully more severe impacts, often due to preexisting disparities. The funds were diverted without notice or discussion and violated Tennessee Code Ann. 8-44-103 and 8-44-105. Both organizations are requesting the funds be restored as a benefit to those they serve.