Oldsmar council reaches consensus on proposed $60,000 charitable donations; final approvals set for Oct. 21

OLDSMAR, Fla. — The Oldsmar City Council reached consensus Oct. 14 on how to allocate $60,000 set aside in the 2025–26 budget for charitable donations, after hearing presentations from eight local nonprofits and discussing priorities for basic needs over other programs.

The proposed allocations — displayed on a spreadsheet during the meeting and agreed to by the council — will be formally considered for approval at the council’s Oct. 21 meeting, Mayor Gannon said. Council members emphasized prioritizing food, housing and utility assistance for Oldsmar residents while still trying to fund community arts and event support at reduced levels.

The council first heard short presentations from the organizations that applied for funding. Kevin Dunbar, executive director of CFY Pinellas (Clearwater for Youth), told the council that CFY has an endowment that covers operating costs and that “every dollar that is provided to us, goes directly to supporting a child.”

David Hill, executive director of the Maddie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, said his organization operates the food pantry and a family support initiative that helps rehouse hurricane-displaced families. “I believe it’s $10,000 of it is earmarked for utility assistance,” Hill said of his organization’s request, describing utility help as a major part of the grant request.

Other presenters included David Lamac, executive director of Neighborly Care Network (meals, transportation and adult day care); Joanne Fitzpatrick, director of Oldsmar Cares (food, clothing, utility assistance, and the local “Patchwork Grant” program); Jevin Miller, chairman of Oldsmar Friends of the Arts (Opel Theatre and youth programs); Mark Howe with the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber (seeking event-insurance support and representing the Holiday Sharing Fund/Kids Pedal Power bike program); and Jason Sanders, president of the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Education Foundation (STAR grants to local schools).

Council members repeatedly framed the discussion around limited city resources and municipal core services. Several members said they would prioritize direct services that address food, shelter and utilities for Oldsmar residents. Council member Knapp said he evaluated requests by estimated local impact and by how “painful” a cut would be to an organization’s operations.

Specific requests discussed during the meeting (as stated by presenters or council members) included: - CFY Pinellas (Clearwater for Youth): requested $5,000 (presenter said CFY expects to provide about $50,000 in support countywide and asked for roughly $5,000 for Oldsmar programs). - Holiday Sharing Fund / Kids Pedal Power: requested $3,000 to provide about 30 bikes a year to Oldsmar children. - Maddie Williams Neighborhood Family Center: requested funding that included approximately $10,000 earmarked for utility assistance and about $8,000 to support a growing food pantry (the presenter said Oldsmar pantry visits were up about 20%). - Neighborly Care Network (Meals on Wheels / transportation): requested approximately $6,500 (presenter noted federal funding requires a local match for some services). - Oldsmar Cares: requested approximately $27,000 (council discussion referenced a $27,000 ask for core services including food, clothing and utility assistance). - Oldsmar Friends of the Arts (Opel Theatre): requested $8,500; presenters said one show this year costs a portion of the previously quoted $12,000–$15,000 annual production costs. - Upper Tampa Bay Chamber — Special Event Support: requested $20,000 to help offset increased event liability insurance costs. - Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Education Foundation (STAR grants): requested $2,000 to pass through unrestricted grants to schools in the Chamber footprint.

During the allocation discussion, council members proposed and adjusted figures on a shared spreadsheet. Council members said they were not taking a final vote that night but sought consensus to forward a recommended allocation for the Oct. 21 meeting. Several adjustments discussed aloud included reducing some arts and event items and directing more funding to direct-assistance programs; staff displayed the working allocation on the screen and the mayor asked for consensus. Council members verbally confirmed consensus before adjourning.

The council and staff stressed that the proposed allocations reflect available funds only and are contingent on formal action at the Oct. 21 meeting. Several council members said they expect ongoing budget pressure and signaled possible further conversations with the city manager about how the charitable-donations line item is administered in future budgets.

The council meeting packet lists the eight applicants and notes the available line item as: Aid to Government/Private Agencies, account 0011105113082-80, fiscal year 2025–26, with $60,000 available. The spreadsheet with the council’s proposed allocations was not read line-by-line during the Oct. 14 session; council members asked that the items be approved at the Oct. 21 regular meeting.

Votes at a glance: no formal votes were taken Oct. 14. Council members reached a nonbinding consensus on a proposed distribution of the $60,000; the council will consider a formal motion and vote at its Oct. 21 meeting.

The council also heard a brief citizen comment from Tom O’Shea, who praised recent city signage updates and said he supports raising local taxes if needed to address wastewater and solid-waste compliance; that comment occurred during the public-comment portion of the meeting and was not part of the charitable-donation agenda item.

A formal record of the council’s proposed allocations will appear in the Oct. 21 meeting materials and minutes if council members move the spreadsheet into a formal motion.