Winner City Council approves donations for local nonprofits, doubles Winter Resource Center gift to $20,000

On Feb. 3, 2025, the Winner City Council voted to finalize several donations to local nonprofit programs, approving a $20,000 donation to the Winner Resource Center and a $13,500 donation to the Tripp County Library. The council also amended its budget to allocate $25,000 to the economic development line and $6,900 to the Winner Advocate program.

The donations matter because they support service providers relied on by vulnerable residents and community programs funded in part by the city’s general fund. The council’s actions included motions to increase previously budgeted amounts and a supplemental budget process to move funds where needed.

Shanna Flakas, Executive Director of the Winner Resource Center, told the council the center provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking and elder abuse. Flakas said the center served 103 new clients in the last fiscal year, had 255 individuals return for ongoing case management, provided 197 shelter days distributed to two males, 11 females and 10 children, and assisted 18 families with housing relocation.

Flakas told the council the center’s program funding is “reimbursement basis” federal and state grants and that a recent federal funding freeze temporarily halted reimbursements. She said the center currently has “over $10,000 in reimbursement on our books” from recent expenses and that the freeze has delayed payments for 30 to 45 days. “We’re committed to keeping the doors open and doing the work,” she said.

Councilman Clay moved to donate $20,000 to the Winner Resource Center; the motion was seconded by Councilman Hughes and carried with one abstention by Councilman Shaheen. City staff indicated the city would pay the amount by transferring from the general fund and completing a supplemental budget to cover the increase over the $10,000 previously budgeted for the center.

Misty Burns spoke to the council on behalf of the Tripp County Library, describing children’s programming (story time, 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten), teen activities (book clubs, gaming and Dungeons & Dragons), adult programs and partnerships with local organizations. Burns said summer reading sign-ups grew to about 70 last summer, with 25 completing the program, and described partnerships such as a library program that lets patrons check out a South Dakota state park pass for three days.

Burns asked the council to continue a $13,500 allocation to the library; council members approved the donation unanimously. Burns described the Friends of the Library nonprofit that raises additional funds and outlined membership donation levels (individual $10, family $20, business $50, lifetime $100).

The council also approved a budget amendment to split a previously bundled donation: $25,000 to the economic development account and $6,900 to the Winner Advocate program. Councilman Clay moved the amendment; the motion passed unanimously. Council discussion noted the $6,900 represented the value of a room rental provided for the advocate program and that the original budget line totaled $31,900; the amendment simply separated the amounts into distinct line items.

Finance officer Harley advised that the library’s check would be available in several months under the city’s payment schedule; for the Winner Resource Center donation the city indicated it would transfer funds from the general fund and complete a supplemental budget to cover the $20,000 amount.

Votes at a glance: - Donate $20,000 to the Winner Resource Center — Motion: Councilman Clay; Second: Councilman Hughes; Outcome: approved (yes: Clay, Glunt, Meiners, Hughes, Schuyler; abstain: Shaheen). - Donate $13,500 to Tripp County Library — Motion: Councilman Meiners; Second: Councilman Hughes; Outcome: approved unanimously. - Amend budget to allocate $25,000 to economic development and $6,900 to Winner Advocate — Motion: Councilman Clay; Second: Councilman Hughes; Outcome: approved unanimously.

The measures are intended to provide near-term support to local service providers; the Winner Resource Center said it plans to continue operations while awaiting delayed federal reimbursements.