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Lawrenceburg council approves short-term funding for Friendly Bean cafe run by New Horizons
Summary
Lawrenceburg City Council agreed to fund the Friendly Bean cafe, run by New Horizons, through the end of 2025 up to $20,000 and to include $35,000 in the 2026 budget after state funding cuts threatened the program.
The Lawrenceburg City Council approved short-term city funding to keep the Friendly Bean cafe, operated by the nonprofit New Horizons inside the public library, open after the mayor said state funding cuts threatened the program.
"It gives the folks at New Horizons an opportunity to... learn some work skills and life skills," Mayor Kelly Mon said, describing the cafe as "workforce development for people with disabilities." She told council she had spoken with Jimmy Ryan, director of New Horizons, and with the library director, and that state-level funding cuts by Governor Braun had reduced the cafe’s support.
Mon said New Horizons faced an imminent closure and that the organization’s board had agreed to keep the cafe open through the remainder of the month while the city considered assistance. The mayor proposed funding operations for the remainder of 2025, not to exceed $20,000, and adding $35,000 for the cafe in the 2026 budget. She said the funds would cover cafe operations; the library does not charge New Horizons rent for the space.
Council discussed operational details and reporting. Council members were told the city could request financial reports; the meeting record shows the city’s staff indicated the city would have access to financial information if funds are provided. One speaker noted seeing three people working at the cafe during a recent visit.
A motion to fund operations for the Friendly Bean for the remainder of 2025, not to exceed $20,000, and to include $35,000 in the 2026 budget was made and seconded. The mayor called for the vote; the motion carried (recorded as "motion carries"). The transcript does not record any roll-call results by name for this motion beyond the motion and the mayor’s confirmation that the motion carried.
The recorded action was an operational funding commitment and inclusion in the next year’s budget planning; the meeting transcript records no ordinance or long-term contract associated with the funding. Council asked for the ability to review monthly expenses; the mayor said the city could obtain financial reports from New Horizons if desired.
