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Commission approves $5,000 city contribution to local emergency relief fund
Summary
Commission voted unanimously to provide $5,000 to a new Stark County Emergency Relief Fund to buy immediate supplies for displaced residents; director said the fund would be matched by county dollars and staff will report back on use.
The Dickinson City Commission voted unanimously to provide $5,000 to a new Stark County Emergency Relief Fund intended for short-term purchases—food, water, toiletries and clothing—to help people displaced by smaller-scale incidents that fall short of declared disasters.
The request came from the city’s Director of Emergency Services, who said the fund is intended to plug a gap between an incident and the arrival of larger aid organizations. "What I would be requesting tonight is $5,000 to match the $5,000 that I got from the county," the director said.
City staff told commissioners the city could transfer the approved amount from an existing emergency fund within the police department budget. The director said the county had already provided $5,000 and that the plan was to come back annually for up to three years to build the account, with an initial goal of establishing a minimum balance of $5,000 and not exceeding a $30,000 total over three years.
Commissioner Bair and others said the money would be used quickly in the event of a large local incident and praised the transparency plan; the director said he would return at year end with documentation of any expenditures. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Bair, seconded by Commissioner Riddle and passed with four ayes (Commissioner Bair — aye; Commissioner Riddle — aye; Commissioner Frederick — aye; Chair Decker — aye). The meeting record shows Commissioner Oderman absent.
City staff indicated the city’s emergency fund will be the internal funding source if the commission approves the transfer. The director said the county’s $5,000 had already been used for a recent warming shelter and that he may reassess whether he needs to request the full three-year contribution depending on fund usage.
Commissioners did not attach additional conditions to the approval; the director said he would provide a year-end report describing any expenditures and supporting documentation.
The action gives local emergency responders a small dedicated pool of funds the director said will be available for rapid, short-term needs while larger state or federal assistance is mobilized.
