(Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities, August 21, 2023)
Did you know that each year, the City of Pocatello makes charitable contributions to non-profit/community organizations in Pocatello with taxpayer money? Most donations are budgeted.
Until this budget cycle, there was no application process for such “donations.” In the past, specific agencies were contacted and asked to email their requests and then invited to present to Council. In recent years, there were a number of discussions about these donations and the process for awarding them. This year, the same seven (7) non-profits were emailed an application and presented with the addition of a new applicant – a neighborhood association. (NOTE: As disclosed in a meeting—two councilmembers (Leeuwrik and Mansfield) reside in this neighborhood and Mayor Blad stated that he brought this one forward.
Potential issue: Is the process of awarding these “contributions” equitable? The availability of “donations” is not made known to all Pocatello non-profits. Obviously, there are many worthy non-profits that provide much-needed work within our community, and they all have need of donations. Past discussions included whether these donations should continue to go to the same agencies year-after-year and/or whether there should be competition. This year, a couple of agencies asked for large increases, plus a new neighborhood non-profit submitted an application which created some discussions that should be of public interest.
During the 06/15/23 Budget Meeting, a “little proposal” from Councilwoman Leeuwrik suggested giving up to $5K EACH to six established neighborhood associations ($30K): https://youtu.be/PaIkvFb0r1Y?t=9294
During the 06/28/23 Budget meeting (watch for about 5 minutes), Council continues to debate a $4,500 donation toward a neighborhood Christmas event: https://youtu.be/h-k24weNeQo?t=7942
Presentations from local non-profit community organizations took place during the 06/12/23 Budget Meeting.
You can link to their applications/presentations here: https://pocatello.gov/Agen…/ViewFile/Agenda/_06122023-1493
06/12/23 Budget Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3juxvVTYj0
FY24: (PROPOSED – Council included in the budget, but we’ve not seen the final line-item budget to confirm)
- Aid for Friends: $ 8,000
- Family Services Alliance: $17,500
- Senior Citizen Center $35,000
- Free Clinic $25,000 (+$15K increase)
- SEICA – Meals on Wheels: $23,004
- Chamber of Commerce-Tourism Bureau: $20,000 (+$5K increase)
- Sister Cities – Japanese: $ 2,500
- College Neighborhood Association: $4,500 (NEW)
- TOTAL: $135,504 (+$24,500 increase)
FY23:
- Aid for Friends: $ 8,000
- Family Services Alliance: $17,500
- Senior Citizen Center $35,000
- Free Clinic $10,000
- SEICA – Meals on Wheels: $23,004
- Chamber of Commerce-Tourism Bureau: $15,000
- Sister Cities – Japanese: $ 2,500
- TOTAL: $111,004
