West Nipissing council is working on establishing a formal policy to outline how municipal financial support is granted to local organizations.
Last year the municipality gave just over $107,000 to support local organizations. Another $24,185 was given in kind – specifically in fee waivers for municipally owned buildings. For instance, last year the West Nipissing Food Bank received just over $8,000, the Legion received $6,000, and the United 50 Club was provided $1,906.
In total, 20 organizations received funds from the municipality.
“This policy is to help us when people are asking for donations,” Councillor Anne Tessier clarified, “for financial support of local organizations.”
One aspect of the process council wants to discuss more is whether these requests will be entertained throughout the year, “or have a pre-budget deadline,” a set date by which all proposals must reach the municipal office, Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon said.
“Staff would have time to prepare a report on the requests we have,” she added, “and how those fit into our budgeting process.”
However, the Mayor also noted that some organization may be applying for outside funding and require a commitment from council at various times throughout the year.
Will applicants be eligible to receive one grant per calendar year per event of project? What will the maximum amount of each grant be? Council will discuss these questions and more once the policy draft appears before council.
“Establishing a Discretionary Grant Policy could help council ensure that funds are allocated in a way that supports the community’s goals as well as Council’s Term Plan objectives,” noted Kassandra Jolin, West Nipissing’s Corporate Services Officer, in her recommendation to council.
“The process will serve to document yearly requests more efficiently and could help eliminate potential redundancies in funding,” she added. Jolin and staff will continue to work on the draft policy and once complete, return it to council for input.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
