Turning Point officials expressed disappointment over recent comments by Warren County commissioners that they feel negatively portrayed their organization. The dispute involved funding provided by the county annually to the women's shelter, projected to be around $12,000. Two weeks ago, the commission approved the funding despite Turning Point's failure to apply for the money by a state-mandated Oct. 1 deadline. By the time the commission voted on the funding, it was one day past a second deadline the commission was required to meet. Joyce Karrenbrock and Carla Hoffman, both representing Turning Point, met with the commission last Wednesday, Nov. 25, to voice their concerns. Their comments also included criticism of The Record's coverage of the decision. In the story that appeared in the Nov. 19 issue, the commission expressed frustration that Turning Point failed to correct the mistakes after missing the Oct. 1 deadline. "These types of comments hurt our funding," said Karrenbrock, Turning Point executive director. "We are all struggling out there. It's been very hurtful, and hurtful to not only staff, but to the community that needs the help." Missouri State Statute 455.215 states all applications from a domestic violence shelter must be submitted by Oct. 1 of the year preceding the calendar year for which the funding is desired. In addition, the county had until Nov. 15 to notify the applicant, in writing, whether it was eligible for the funds and specify the amount. Since Turning Point's application was submitted late - Karrenbrock admitted to being on vacation - the commission asked the shelter to submit a letter acknowledging the missed deadline and verifying the application. However, that letter wasn't acted on until Nov. 16. Hoffman disputes the newspaper story that Turning Point missed two deadlines. Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage took responsibility for not specifically telling Turning Point officials when the commission had to reconsider the request. According to Karrenbrock, she dropped the letter off Nov. 13 at the county clerk's office, and since the commission doesn't meet on Fridays, it wasn't reviewed until Nov. 16. Since the county offices were closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, Engelage said the letter needed to be received the previous day to be included on the Nov. 12 agenda. Since Karrenbrock's letter was received between days when the commission meets, including a weekend, the quickest the request could be acted on was one day after the Nov. 15 deadline. The commission reiterated that it was troubling for them to approve the request in conflict with the statute. Dan Hampson, Northern District commissioner, noted auditors may penalize the commission for approving the request late. "We have bent over, even if you realize it or not," Engelage said. "It really bothers me to go against statute. I feel you all need the money, the people need the money. That is why we gave that. We're trying to work with you. Don't try to alienate us." Karrenbrock and Hoffman said the county's funding, part of the organization's annual $300,000 budget, will be used for regular services such as housing up to 25 women and children at a time. In addition, the shelter provides meals, clothes, weekly counseling and support groups and some legal services. According to Turning Point's application, the women's shelter served 529 clients between July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009, of which 271 were Warren County residents. Officials expect those figures to increase 10 to 20 percent next year. When considering the late request Nov. 16, the commission considered refusing the funding, but relented since the money would sit unused for a year and then be available on top of next year's share. Turning Point had missed the deadline one other time in Engelage's 13 years serving as commissioner, he said. During that time, the annual funding was around $1,000. "We've done what we felt was right for the people," Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said. "All I ask let's not do it again."