City Council Member Responds to Stance on Helping the Poor

City Council member Karen Meinzen McEnerny forwarded the following reply to a constituent, who wrote to her after reading the Patch story,

The story went into a recent discussion among Council members, in which McEnerny expressed support for the arts and environment over continued support of the Community Action Center.

Thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns. I hope you took note of the fact in my comments  that  this particular organization has received, in my view, more than it’s fair share  over the past 5 years of the city’s not for profit funding allocations at a minimum of $75,000 per year and some years as much as $100,000. This is more than 33% of our  allocated budget amounts  which have run  as high as $300K and this years low of $120,000 .   Such year over year “required” funding level of tax payer $ has crowded out the other 100 Plus not for profits  serving our community… again in my view. The arts, education, environmental, senior services etc.   

I applaud the role of the CAC and its many member churches that support the needs of its constituents in our community...I have the highest regard for their Board and the leadership of that organization.   So to be clear , my concern is not at all about the organization not being “worthy” of receiving tax payer funds for their work, but the lack of equity in the past and current suggested funding levels  via our Not for profit policy.   There are many other worthy not for profits in our community  that deserve funding as well and have been crowded out  due to the disproportionate funding  provided yearly to the CAC. Our goal has always been to fund for project specific grant applications so that our not for profits do not rely yearly on this funding from an operational level.     

I have copied a board member of the CAC  to underscore my viewpoint so that my public comments are not taken out of context.  Thanks again for contacting me.  

Karen