Council considers funds for non-profits

The town council on Monday will discuss the rationale for supporting non-profit human service agencies, especially when town departments are facing budget cuts, and the council will consider changing its policy on the donations.

The council is also set to hear a history of fire coverage in the town, which at some time could result in a council vote supporting annexation of northern Sahuarita by the Green Valley Fire District, which already covers Sahuarita south of Camino Antigua (Anamax Park).

GVFD Chief Simon Davis said recently that he hopes to have such a resolution approved by the end of this year in order to get started on the lengthy process of distributing annexation petitions. Under the current agreement, which expires in November 2012, Rural/Metro Fire Department, a private department, provides service on a subscription basis north of Camino Antigua.

The council also will hear an update on the town’s affordable housing program, in which two homes have been financed in 2009 and two more are in process.

The not-for profit agencies that have received money from the town over the past two years and in this year’s budget are: Green Valley Assistance Services, $91,000; S.T.O.P. (Sahuarita Team Offers Prevention), $35,000; Green Valley Community Food Bank, $31,000; Titan Missile Museum, $10,000; and Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance, $10,000.

For the past three years, the organizations have completed a grant application and funding agreement, which town staff said have provided a high level of documentation and accountability. During June 8 and June 22 Town Council meetings, members expressed concern about funding the non-profits during a time when the town budget was being cut. Mayor Lynne Skelton for several years has asked for the town to spell out its rationale for funding private agencies.

Staff were directed to review the current process and develop detailed policies to guide town funding of private agencies and gathered information from Buckeye, Fountain Hills, Marana, Oro Valley and Tucson.

One recommendation was to establish a three-member Council Review Committee and to formalize funding levels and priorities; revise application review factors; create a system for ranking applications and require reporting of output measurement.

Also Monday, 19 members of the 2009 citizens leadership academy will be saluted and hold their graduation ceremony at the meeting.

pfranchine@sahuaritasun.com | 547-9738