NEWPORT-The Cocke County Legislative Body must act soon in approving its 2013-14 budget or risk losing grant money, according to Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore.

Speaking during a meeting of the Finance Committee on Monday, Moore said requirements have now changed in meeting the state's Three-Star certification. Among the changes is getting a budget passed before the start of the next fiscal year.

Cocke County has often failed to get a budget passed until fall in recent years. Last year, members managed to finalize a budget in August, but ran into problems getting tax anticipation funds.

This year, Moore and Finance Director Anne Bryant-Hurst said the CLB and county department heads must act quicker.

"The Three-Star Program has been revamped," said Bryant-Hurst. "Things are completely different. What will impact us directly is having a budget done on time. The Budget Committee should have a recommendation for the CLB by mid-May."

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.