JUNE 27, 2025 |
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Organizations seeking public funding from the City of Rawlins will be required to present their requests to the City Council.
Every year, the City of Rawlins allocates a portion of its annual budget to support 13 non-profit and ancillary organizations, such as the Old Pen Joint Powers Board and Senior Services. This fiscal year, the city has set aside $217,500 for those agencies, the same amount offered last fiscal year.
Some City Councils have required the organizations to present their funding requests in person, while others have not. Traditionally, the presentations occurred in late spring, while city officials were still preparing the budget.
The current Rawlins City Council has not asked the ancillary and non-profit agencies to present their funding requests in person. During the June 17th City Council meeting, Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave asked the governing body for clarification on that matter.
Audio PlayerAdditionally, Attorney Maberry-Nave asked the Council if the organizations should be required to participate in city improvement projects, such as clean-up days, to receive funding.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman asked if any new funding requests were submitted this year. Community Relations Coordinator Mira Miller responded that the Carbon County Library System is seeking additional support from the city. All other agency requests remain unchanged.
Audio PlayerNext, Councilwoman Lewman asked if the existing contracts between the city and the non-profit agencies require them to participate in clean-up initiatives. City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave responded that the organizations must assist in city-led improvement projects. However, Attorney Maberry-Nave said she is unsure if the agencies are meeting that obligation.
Audio PlayerAttorney Maberry-Nave redirected the question to Community Relations Coordinator Mira Miller. Miller said she is confident that every ancillary and non-profit agency, except the Children Advocacy Project, is complying with the contract. Miller added that the Children Advocacy Project is too far away and receives too little funding to be expected to participate in clean-up projects.
Audio PlayerCouncilman Steve Sanger requested a copy of the existing contract from Attorney Maberry-Nave. Councilman Sanger said he must review the agreement before deciding if additional stipulations or enforcement are necessary.
Audio PlayerAttorney Maberry-Nave agreed to provide the City Council with the existing contract and highlight the sections of the agreement that pertain to participation in city improvement projects.
Mayor Jacquelin Wells asked the governing body if the non-profit and ancillary agencies should present their funding requests in person. Councilwoman Tonya Lewman said she would prefer to hear from all the organizations before making any allocation decisions, citing the new request from the Carbon County Library System.
Audio PlayerThe remaining City Council members agreed that the agencies should present their funding requests in person. Attorney Maberry-Nave said she will schedule three organizations to appear at a time during upcoming City Council meetings. The governing body will delay its funding decision until all agencies have presented.