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Grant awards stagnant in 2010 |
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Friday, 22 January 2010 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
Thirteen county groups that annually receive grants through the Auglaize County Commissioners are to receive the same amounts in 2010.
A recent resolution approved by the commissioners designated that the $433,500 the groups received last year is what they will receive again this year.
Included in the list is $203,775 for the Ohio State Cooperative Extension Service, $139,653 for the Soil Conservation Service, $42,750 for the Auglaize County Agricultural Society (Fair Board), $28,500 for the Auglaize County Airport Authority, $8,400 for Local Emergency Planning, $5,700 for the Auglaize County Humane Society, $1,188 for the Auglaize County Historical Society, and $594 each for the New Bremen, Minster, Cridersville, New Knoxville, Uniopolis and Buckland historical societies.
“We think what they do and contributing to that is very important or we wouldn’t have them on the list,” Auglaize County Commissioner Don Regula said. “Just like with pay raises (for county employees), we wish we could do more.”
Regula said it is an ongoing process to determine what amounts the commissioners are able to contribute to the organizations through grants each year.
Auglaize County Administrator Joe Lenhart said the money is disbursed to the groups in grants because they also receive money from other sources. The grants are placed into their budgets in one lump sum and then divided within the budgets to individual line items.
“I think the commissioners were very happy that they didn’t have to cut any more on the grants, and the entities which they can supply in the county are very appreciative of that,” Lenhart said.
“Most of the amounts do not usually change much from year to year,” he said. “Everyone always wants more money, but the more money they get, the more money they spend.”
He said in the future, with more good years economically in the county, commissioners tend to look at how long it has been since a particular fund was increased or take into consideration if there is a large item they can help finance.
Lenhart said similar to all county departments in 2008, each grant was reduced 5 percent and levels remain at that rate.
“As the economy looks up we may be able to pick that back up,” Lenhart said.
Some of the groups, such as the Auglaize County Airport Authority, make money through services they provide or facilities they rent to help with their funding. Others, such as the Ohio State Cooperative Extension Service, receive funding from other organizations, or from grants, as does Local Emergency Planning.
The Extension Service and Soil Conservation Service requested more for 2010 than commissioners were able to allot.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 January 2010 )
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