Marshall County Fiscal Court held a Special-Called meeting for the second reading of the Budget Ordinance 2019-04 for fiscal year 2019-2020 on Monday, June 24, 2019 at 6:00 pm.
Among budget items discussed, the General Reserve, cost of living adjustment for county employees, and funding non-profit organizations.
Tony Watkins, with Community Foundation of West Kentucky and a member of the committee that advises the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative. Watkins went over what was presented at an earlier meeting, touching on the proper way for non-profits to apply for grant money and be a 501(c)(3) organization. Watkins said there needs to be a standardized application process so no favoritism is shown to one non-profit over another. Watkins said non-profits across the country are feeling the same pinch that the non-profits in Marshall County are experiencing.
Jennifer Walker, PADD Assistant Director, spoke to the court on federal and state programs. Walker said they are under contract to provide federal and state assistance for senior citizens services. She said they were notified that the Senior Citizens Center plans to close on Friday, June 26. Walker said it is their job to make sure services still continue on Monday, July 1. A plan has been sent to the state to continue those services.
Commissioner Kevin Spraggs made a motion of an amount of $125,000 for non-profits, up $75,000 from what is in the current proposed budget.
Judge/Executive Kevin Neal emphasized the need for directors of these non-profit organizations to be more pro-active and take advantage of opportunities to raise funds adding that it’s not the county’s responsibility to bail them out, especially if they have paid staff members that can work on ways to raise funds.
Commissioner Monti Collins felt the $125,000, which is down nearly $100,000 from the previous year’s budget, is a good compromise that will hopefully encourage these organizations to step up and take advantage of fund-raising opportunities.
Non-profits that participated in the training provided by the Fiscal Court, will be the only ones eligible for the money the Fiscal Court approves in the budget.
All three county commissioners voted yes to amend the non-profit amount in the budget from $50,000 to $125,000. Judge Neal voted no. The 2019-2020 budget was approved.
Video of the complete Fiscal Court Special-Meeting proceedings below.