Putnam County legislators voted to advance a $10,000 sub-contingency transfer for the Garrison Arts Center on Aug. 25, 2025, but several lawmakers pressed the group to provide nonprofit documentation and to follow the standard vetting process used for other contract agencies.
What was proposed: Sean Conway, president of the Garrison Arts Center board, asked the committee for $10,000 to fund an accessibility study of the center's historic building, saying, "We are a 61-year-old nonprofit, art school and small gallery...the building was built in the 1840s and has limitations when it comes to accessibility."
Committee concerns: Legislators repeatedly urged equal treatment for all outside agencies and said the county typically requires Form 990s and application materials as part of budget vetting. "We have to treat everybody exactly the same," Legislator Eric (surname not specified) said during the committee discussion, and others pressed to make funding contingent on receipt of required documents.
Process steps and outcome: Committee members agreed to advance the transfer to the full legislature but asked the Garrison Arts Center to provide Form 990s and any other required paperwork to county finance and the auditor in time for the September meeting; one legislator proposed making the transfer contingent on receipt of those documents.
Why it matters: The discussion highlighted recurring procedural questions about how sub-contingency funds are allocated during the budget cycle and emphasized county priorities for transparency and consistent administration of contract-agency funding.
Taper: The county auditor and finance staff agreed to review the center's documentation and to include it in full-lawmaking materials; the funding will return to the legislature for a final vote with supporting documentation included in the record.