The big picture
At a Nov. 26 City Council meeting, officials evaluated the city’s ability to continue its strategic partnerships program, which distributes grants to local nonprofits, Assistant to the City Manager Jessica Clarke said during a presentation.
“This is a popular program, so over the last five years, we’ve had over 20 nonprofits apply,” Clarke said. “We continue to have a lot of interest in this program, as it allows our local nonprofits to serve more residents than they normally would.”
The program’s available funding for fiscal year 2024-25 is $400,049, but the city has been facing budget constraints, Clarke said. Some council members expressed being in favor of cutting the program, while others preferred to refine it.
How we got here
In August, council members directed city staff to halt grant recommendations to allow officials time to evaluate the program, available resources and alternatives, Clarke said.
After four months, staff returned with a proposed narrowed scope that de-emphasizes parks and recreation and removes a focus on food security, health care, emergency financial assistance and animal services, Clarke said.
According to the presentation, updated funding priorities in the program are:
- Affordable housing; home repair; and utility, rent or mortgage support
- Domestic violence victim support
- Addiction recovery
- Veteran support
- Internships and schools supplies for youth academic development
- Workforce development for career pathways
- Transportation for seniors and paratransit
Diving in deeper
Since 2011, the program’s funding cap has been near $400,000, and its funding priorities have not been updated since 2021, Clarke said. Historically, grants range from $10,000-$50,000 and include development fee waivers up to $10,000, she said.
According to the presentation, some existing nonprofit partnerships offering city services include:
- Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center
- The Caring Place
- Assistance League of Georgetown Area
- We Are Blood
- YMCA
Council members were split on a decision for the program’s future.
“I would like to see us continue the program with a narrowed scope and a capped amount,” District 1 council member Amanda Parr said. “If we were to continue with the program, I would want us to look at not being able to apply from a consecutive year’s basis.”
Officials in favor of eliminating the program long term include Mayor Pro-Tem Kevin Pitts, District 2 council member Shawn Hood and District 6 council member Jake French.
French said the city of Georgetown is expected to offer police, fire and road-building services, but not necessarily nonprofit funding.
“We’re taking the taxpayer’s money and putting it here,” French said. “I don’t feel comfortable making that decision for people. I would rather them take their own money and put it where they want to.”
A budget amendment would allow organizations that provide essential city services, like the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, to receive funding from the city separately, Pitts said.
Going forward
Council directed city staff to return with a revamped list of funding priorities for FY 2024-25.
“I think we would be in the wrong not to fund [nonprofits] this year,” Hood said. “But as [Parr] said previously, I don't really want to fund them on an annual basis.”
Following the program’s updates, council members will decide if the strategic partnership program will continue, Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said.
If the program is dissolved, staff will also evaluate options for the development fee waivers the program provides, City Manager David Morgan said.
