Council discusses donations and sponsorships policy; staff to draft guidance on in-kind valuations and renaming

Staff presented a draft donations/gifts policy and explained it is intended to sit alongside a separate sponsorship policy. Miss Walton, presenting for staff, said the policy would set parameters so donations are consistent with ethics laws and the village’s mission and do not privatize public assets. "No one can give us a donation and tell us to build something. It still has to come to council and be approved and not go through the proper process," Walton said.

Councilmembers asked for guidance on valuing in-kind donations. Walton and others advised that valuation will likely depend on whether the gift is real property or personal property and recommended donors consult tax professionals; staff said the policy will include language about appraisal or tax guidance. Council also discussed renaming public facilities when a corporate sponsor dissolves or becomes disreputable and asked staff to add language allowing review and reversion of names where appropriate.

Why it matters: The policy would standardize how the village accepts gifts (including large park donations such as Smucker Park) and how it handles naming rights, logos and in-kind contributions. Clear rules reduce legal, tax and reputational risk and provide predictable steps for donors and administrators.

Next steps: Staff will revise the draft to add guidance on in-kind valuation, mechanisms to revisit names/logos if a sponsor’s status changes, and a formal request process for council consideration; the draft will return for first reading under the village’s ordinance schedule.