HomeMy WebLinkAboutDiscretionary Grant MemoTO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FROM: DAVE INBODY
SUBJECT: FY 2010 DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM
DATE: 8/21/2009
CC: DAVE KANNER, ERIK KROPP
Background
In February 2009, the Board of Commissioners opted to suspend the discretionary grant program for three
months due to a significant reduction in video lottery funding from the state, which supports the program.
The quarterly payment was $160,580, an 18% reduction from the previous year. The Board agreed to
revisit the program suspension in May 2009, after receipt of the next quarterly payment in August. The
quarterly payment received in May was not only less than the previous payment, but the state also withheld
an additional $50,000 in funding. The quarterly payment was $97,491, a 39% reduction from the previous
payment (a 46% reduction from the previous year).
The discretionary grant program was proposed at $75,000 for FY 2010, $25,000 for each commissioner.
With further state reductions in quarterly video lottery payments expected, the Board was solicited on how
to proceed with the discretionary grant program for FY 2010. It was suggested that no changes be made to
the existing budget. However, commissioners agreed to limit individual fund disbursement to $10,000 each.
If the video lottery fund (Fund 165) were to experience a shortfall, funds were to be transferred from the
County General Fund up to $30,000.
In July 2009, the Board of Commissioners was asked to provide guidance on addressing 16 pending
discretionary grant applications. These directives were provided at that time:
Each commissioner would be allocated $10,000 to distribute as grants in FY 2010, down from the
$25,000 budgeted.
If there is a reduction in state revenue to the Video Lottery Fund, $30,000 from the General Fund
could be transferred and used for discretionary grants.
No new grants would be considered until the first quarterly video lottery payment was received
from the state in August.
Commissioners identified three areas where priority would be given in determining grant
allocation:
o Grant requests for emergency building or equipment repair and replacement
o Grant requests seed money to enable receipt of additional grant funds or in support of
fund raising event promotion.
o Grant requests for small amounts, $1,000 or less. For a match grant, this amount could be
up to $2,500.
The 16 grant applications pending would not be considered unless the project, program or event
being supported takes place after September 1, 2009.
August State Payment
Deschutes County received the first of four video lottery distribution payments from the State on August
13th for $119,116. This is approximately $25,000 below budget. Assuming all four quarterly payments in
FY 2010 are similar, the Video Lottery Fund will end the year more than $100,000, or 20%, below budget.
A review of the Video Lottery Fund budget indicates that there are several budgeted expenses already
obligated totaling $434,435. They include the following:
Personnel Services: $8,282
Internal Service Charges: $8,380
Grants to Service Partners: $211,277 (includes COIC, COCOA, CASA, EDCO and 2-1-1)
AOC Annual Membership: $1,496
Shop-with-a-Cop: $5,000
Community Grants: $200,000
Using a revised revenue estimate, which assumes four state payments similar to the August payment and a
reduction in interest revenue, the revised revenue estimate would be $482,858. After meeting the
obligations outlined above, that leaves $48,423 in unobligated revenue. This is slightly less than the
$49,935 budgeted as the contingency in this fund.
Pending Grant Applications
The following grant applications were received since the July work session or the program, project or event
occurs after September 1st.
Organization Amount
Requested Project Period Program/Project
Sisters Area Chamber of
Commerce $1,500 November 7, 2009 From Timber to Turned Wood
St. Vincent de Paul $5,000 Oct 2009-Feb 2010 Providing community
assistance
Deschutes County Healthy
Beginnings $2,300 Aug 2009-July 2010 Early childhood screenings
La Pine Frontier Days
Association $5,500 July 2009 Midway stage
The Nature of Words $2,000 Nov. 4-8, 2009 2009 Literary Festival
Redmond Chamber of
Commerce $3,000 February 18, 2010 Leadership Redmond
TOTAL $19,300
Considerations
Based on the status of the Video Lottery Fund and the suspended status of the Discretionary Grant
Program, the following are put for forward for Board consideration.
1. Should the discretionary grants program be re-established or remain in a suspended status?
2. If the program were reinstated, would the Board like to consider any of the pending grant
applications?
3. If the program were reinstated, how much in grant funds should each commissioner be allocated
for distribution?
4. If the program were reinstated, should funds be transferred from the General Fund in support of
the grant program?
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