Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Four out of the seven non-profit organizations requesting funding from the Warsaw city council for 2007 Wednesday asked for increases.
Warsaw city councilmen and department heads also met to discuss the proposed 2007 departmental budgets.
The budget workshop was the second this week to allow department heads to present their proposed budgets. The other workshop was held Monday.
Asking for increases in 2007 were Warsaw Housing Authority, Animal Welfare League, Kosciusko Area Bus Service and Kosciusko Development Inc.
WHA is requesting $47,356 for 2007, a $22,356 increase from the $25,000 approved in 2006.
The increase is attributed to the organization applying for grants for senior citizen housing and the program needing assistance in helping fund rent and utilities for these residents, according to Housing Opportunities of Warsaw Executive Director Pam Kennedy.
"Our mission statement is to provide housing to those who live in the community," Kennedy said.
"We want to keep people from living in cardboard boxes and put them in decent housing."
Kennedy said 80 percent of the families the organization serves are senior citizens.
She said the organization will not hear until October or November if the grant will be accepted.
If the organization receives the Community Development Block Grant, the city will match the $25,000, according to Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
The Animal Welfare League is requesting $16,000 for contracts for 2007. This is a $2,350 increase from the $13,650 amount for 2006.
Valerie Clarkson, executive director for the AWL, said the additional funds will help her achieve her dream of building a new shelter to house stray animals.
"We adopt about eight or nine animals a day and need to get the overpopulation under control," Clarkson said.
"My dream is to have a new and sterile shelter for neutering these animals, but we need to have the funds to carry through with this."
Clarkson invited the council members to visit the shelter.
KABS is requesting $25,000 for contracts for 2007. The 2006 amount was $18,500 plus $5,614 for capital expenses.
The funds will help the organization with operation and rising fuel costs.
Executive Director Rita Baker said there were 71,000 passengers transported last year.
She reported fares were increased July 10 to $2, but went back to the $1.50 price after customers took a survey and said they would rather pay that fee.
Baker said the last increase in fares was in 2000.
"We are seeing more people riding buses as a result of rising fuel costs and we need additional funds to continue to provide services," Baker said.
She also informed the council that the organization is looking into fundraisers where city buses will be painted with an aquarium theme.
Funds would be solicited from local businesses, who would in return have their name and business number painted on the buses to promote their business.
KDI is requesting $10,000 for contracts for 2007. The amount approved for 2006 was $5,000.
The increase will help with marketing and providing additional activities at the Chamber, according to Chamber of Commerce President Joy McCarthy-Sessing.
"We haven't been able to afford a lot of marketing because our budget has been around $5,000," McCarthy-Sessing said.
She said the Chamber wants to have a display booth at the Orthopedic Design and Technology Conference in Fort Wayne, but needs additional funds for the display.
Also reported at the meeting were requests from three non-profit agencies whose proposals were the same for 2007 as 2006.
The City-County Athletic Complex request for 2007 stayed at $34,000.
Cardinal Center (Sus Amigos) is requesting $8,000 for contracts.
The funds will assist the organization in providing mentorship programs, translation services, passport and bank account assistance to the Hispanic community.
Warsaw Community Development Corp. is requesting $12,600 for 2007.
Carmen Lock, executive director, said the funds will help purchase items such as flags and lights for downtown.
Lock informed the board the organization has had 10 new members join since January. The organization currently has 84 members.
Now that the proposed budgets have been presented, city councilmen will consider what they have been presented.
