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Commission approves one-time $13,000 allotment to Stepping Stone Shelter to cover near-term operations
Summary
Commission approved up to $13,000 from the 1¢ sales tax to assist Stepping Stone Shelter's operations this summer while the nonprofit pursues HUD and other grants; staff and the shelter's volunteer director discussed grant application issues and operating shortfalls.
The Liberal City Commission approved a one-time allocation of up to $13,000 from the 1¢ sales tax to assist the Stepping Stone Shelter with near-term operations, commissioners said at the June 2 meeting.
City staff and the shelter’s volunteer director outlined the shelter’s recent financial challenges. The shelter previously received a city allocation of $50,000 (with about $36,163.92 ultimately recorded as spent in the city’s accounting records), and staff said the finance department temporarily handled certain bill payments to keep operations running. The shelter’s director said the organization has pursued federal funding sources, including HUD (CSG/ESG) grants, but earlier application errors led to disqualification for one round; the director said application corrections have been made and she is confident of future award prospects.
Shelter leadership described operating costs of roughly $11,000 per month (the largest portion being payroll) and said a recent need to replace an air-conditioning unit added to near-term utility pressure. The director described coordinated efforts with the county on warming-shelter response and said the shelter has offered facilities to county-led warming operations when requested. The commission discussed county funding decisions and an earlier county allocation of federal funds to another regional program; shelter representatives said this affected available funds for local shelter operations.
After discussion, Vice Mayor Landry moved and Commissioner Wharton seconded a motion to provide up to $13,000 from the 1¢ sales tax to help the shelter with operations this summer; the motion passed. Commissioners encouraged continued grant writing and collaboration with county and state partners and thanked shelter volunteers and staff for their work.
