The Garden City Commission voted to authorize an additional round of AFAC (Alcohol Fund Advisory Committee) grant funding in 2025 and set the amount at $200,000.

City staff told commissioners there is currently $393,000 in the special alcohol fund and recommended keeping at least $140,000 in reserve for future flexibility. The AFAC program distributes state alcohol-tax-funded dollars for prevention, intervention, education and treatment. Staff described two grant tracks: one pool dedicated to requests of $6,000 or less and a larger pool for requests greater than $6,000.

Commissioners stressed the need for a transparent evaluation matrix so applicants receive clear feedback on why proposals were funded or denied. Several commissioners supported assigning point values to the evaluation questions and said a scoring rubric should be returned for review. One commissioner suggested $150,000 as a starting amount; the commission approved $200,000 by motion and second.

Staff said the city would release the application only after the commission finalized evaluation criteria and that awarded funds would be drawn from an estimated $253,000 available for awards if the commission chose to reserve $140,000 in the fund balance.

Why it matters: AFAC grants finance local prevention and treatment programs that the city says are a significant part of the Humane Society and social-service ecosystem. Commissioners sought clearer scoring and public feedback so applicants understand award decisions.

The vote to authorize release of the additional AFAC round passed by voice vote.