It's assistance for programs that are vital in the community. Monday Rock Island city leaders approved dispersing nearly $1 million in grants and gaming funds to dozens of programs. However, some say available dollars are being stretched more and more.
Council divided up $50,000 in gaming funds and another $904,514 Community Development Block Grants to agencies like Habitat for Humanity, ARC, and Project Now. But two years ago the city had $1.2 million to give out in just CDBG dollars. While that's shrinking the wish lists aren't. That's why some hope for changes in how the city spends.
The goal is not just maintain but improve the housing, economic, and social condition in Rock Island. "There's a number of good programs offered out there in the city. Things we're funding anywhere from senior transportation through Project Now, to after school programming," said Kevin Hird, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee. The group recommends to the city which programs should get how much money. Hird says it's getting tougher and tougher to do that.
"Unfortunately the block grant dollar continue to shrink with the federal government situation as it is."
That's why he says the gaming revenue is also essential for assisting social service agencies. This year the $50,000 will be split up between 21 different programs including the youth health and safety education through for the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities area. "Basic aid training, basic first aid, also do a program on how to be safe in your home," said Betsy Pratt, Regional Chapter Executive.
Pratt says every little bit helps the agency reach about 6,000 kids in Rock Island each year. "So any additional funding we could receive will help us make sure the program is still there each and every year."
Some CAC members are asking council to amend how it spends its gaming dollars. The city expects to get $6 million this year, up from $5.6 million in 2011. Instead of a flat $50,000 for social service programs the request is to get 1.5 percent of the casino revenue. "Which right now would mean about $90,000 so that's quite a bit more to be able to go out and serve," added Hird.
It's something that's been requested before but hasn't happened because there's such a big wish list of other things the gaming dollars pay for, from road projects to facade improvements. "The council is in a catch-22 situation. It's nice the revenue is up and we'd like to see more dollars going to social service agencies, but we also do understand they have a lot of bills to pay," said Hird.
City staff will look into the possibility of amending the gaming revenue policy for the future. The grants and funds council approved Monday are for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.
