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Council approves $12,500 feasibility study to test community support for a city community fund; animal shelter used as case study
Summary
The council authorized an expenditure of $12,500 to fund a community-feasibility study focusing first on the animal shelter as a test case; staff expects phase 1 results in about two months.
The Olathe City Council voted April 1 to authorize a $12,500 expenditure to fund a feasibility study testing whether the community would support a citywide community fund. The study will use the animal shelter as a test case and aim to evaluate philanthropic appetite and structuring options.
Councilmember Bacchus spoke in favor of studying a community fund but urged staff to include an overview of existing city funds and balances in the consultant's analysis. City staff said the proposal follows prior council direction to test public appetite before creating a standing fund and that the study will return recommendations on potential fund structure. City staff estimated phase 1 of the study would be completed in about two months.
City staff said Jeffrey Burn (principal consultant) or a member of his team will contact councilmembers for input as part of the fact-finding effort. Councilmember Reaher moved to approve the expenditure; the motion passed by roll call. Staff said the study will report back to the council with findings and recommendations, including whether corporate and philanthropic support would be sufficient to support the fund at levels that would be "meaningful and worthwhile."
