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Council approves $2.02 million in human-services funding; some awards sequestered pending agency follow-up
Summary
Ames and partner funders’ ASSET recommendations were adopted for FY25–26 ($2,020,807 from the city), with specific sequestered awards for further staff review and a new childcare agency added to the list.
The Ames City Council on Feb. 11 approved the city’s $2,020,807 contribution to the ASSET human-services funding process for fiscal year 2025–26 and accepted the ASSET board’s recommendations, with a small set-aside for unallocated basic-needs funding and continuous-improvement housing needs.
City staff and ASSET volunteers reviewed 29 agencies requesting funds across 94 services. The total ask across all funders exceeded $6.3 million; participating funders collectively allocated about $5.3 million. The ASSET process included site visits, liaison reports and financial reviews; staff said volunteers spend substantial time meeting agencies and reviewing performance metrics and budgets.
Council and staff described three agencies for which funding was sequestered pending follow-up meetings with funder staff: (1) HRDA (sequestration because the agency missed required participation steps such as mandatory orientation and the agency hearing), (2) NAMI (clarification requested on budget forms and unit costs), and (3) a YSS outpatient mental-health service (questions about marketing and service utilization). Staff said the sequestered funding can be released administratively once questions are resolved, and noted that contracts for funded agencies will issue in late April–early May.
The council approved the addition of 1 new ASSET agency, Prairie Flowers Children’s Center, with a city recommendation of $15,300 for child-care services (infant and school age). Staff also noted program-level clarifications: YWCA received no city funding this cycle because its activities are being processed through ISU student government; Primary Health Care received partial recommendations for new service lines (community clinics and a dental navigator); and ASSET retains a $9,064 administrative allowance for basic logistics.
The ASSET allocation motion passed by roll call. Council also set aside $139,473 in unallocated funding for basic needs and $96,229 for continuous-improvement/housing needs as recommended in the ASSET materials.
Ending: Staff will work with the three sequestered agencies to resolve outstanding items before contracts are finalized and will return contract paperwork for council action as appropriate with an administrative note if issues are resolved prior to contract approval.
