The Community Services Advisory Board is recommending council spend nearly $500,000 on outside agency grants as part of St. Albert’s 2017 budget.
This figure, which represents an increase of more than $50,000 over last year, includes contributions ranging from $6,000 to as much as $200,000.
Council got an idea of which organizations are requesting money from the city’s Outside Agency Program at the Nov. 10 budget meeting, with representatives from some organizations making presentations in person.
The board’s suggested contributions include funding all eight of the organization that requested money, but in a scaled-back form for the three largest requests.
The largest recommended contribution is $192,026 for the St. Albert Seniors Association. Council had pre-approved funding the association for $176,600, but it requested more money to enhance the Meals on Wheels program and the Senior Transportation program.
The board is recommending reducing the funding from the $204,380 it requested. A report presented to council cites the need for more research and a clearer business case for the Meals on Wheels program changes, but recommends funding the portion for the transportation program.
The second largest recommended contribution is $92,090 for the St. Albert Housing Society, which is less than the $115,000 it requested. The report suggests no rationale was presented for the funding increase and the Home Connections program was winding down.
Director Cheryl Dumont spoke to council about the request, explaining that while the program might wind down without support, the society would like to be able to see it continue.
“This program helps those who without the society’s assistance may be homeless, or living in inappropriate or unsafe housing conditions,” she said. “Your support of the housing society helps us change lives. It helps us lift families out of poverty.”
Currently it operates 17 rental units at Big Lake Pointe, and Dumont said the society is looking to leverage its existing capital through private-sector financing to purchase 10 more.
Council is currently in the process of negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the society about what services it will provide and how it will be funded, after some councillors expressed concerns the city shouldn’t be funding affordable housing, which is nominally a provincial responsibility.
Coun. Tim Osborne said he would bring forward a proposed motion to grant the housing society its full request.
The next largest contribution the board is recommending $74,692 to the Community Village/Food Bank. That money is intended to continue funding the volunteer coordinator position, as well as allow the organization to hire a part-time bookkeeper.
The society had requested $30,000 for that position, but the board recommendation only paying $20,000, which it said was the direct cost of the position.
The CSAB recommended approving the remaining five requests in the full amount.
The Community Information and Volunteer Centre requested $52,083, a small increase over the 2016 grant, to continue supporting the organization’s rent and operating costs as well as the full-time volunteer centre coordinator position.
The Visual Arts Studio Association (VASA) requested $50,000 to help support community programming and outreach. The money would be used mainly to support one paid staff member filling in administrative roles.
St. Albert Victim Services, which has volunteers who work directly with victims of crime or tragedy, requested $32,500. It’s an additional $3,000 over last year to assist in delivery of the Wellness Recovery Program.
The Michif Cultural Connections Company, which has a stated goal of telling the story of the Métis in St. Albert and preserving their heritage, asked for $10,000 to cover its operating expenses.
The St. Albert Bereavement Fellowship, which offers support to approximately 100 people per month who are struggling with loss of a loved one, asked for $6,000 to continue its operations.
None of the funding requests will be formally granted until council approves the 2017 budget, which is expected at the Dec. 12 meeting.
