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Harlingen approves $50,000 annual contract for Loaves and Fishes; city to review possible supplemental funding in April
Summary
The commission approved a $50,000 annual agreement with Loaves and Fishes for meals to the homeless, and asked the city manager to review the budget in April to determine whether the organization's request for an additional $25,000 can be funded.
The Harlingen City Commission voted to approve a one-year contract that allocates $50,000 annually to Loaves and Fishes to provide meals for people who are homeless or in need.
Bill Regan, speaking for Loaves and Fishes, thanked the city and emergency responders for help during a recent surge of migrant arrivals. Regan said his organization served 2,054 migrants between March and June and asked the commission to increase the annual allocation from $50,000 to $75,000 to help cover added costs.
City staff told the commission the city's budget approved the prior night did not include the requested extra $25,000. Commissioners approved the $50,000 contract at the meeting and asked the city manager to review the adopted budget and report back in April on whether the commission could provide additional funding later in the fiscal year.
One commissioner proposed approving $75,000 immediately; the mayor and others noted the budget had already been adopted and supported moving forward with the $50,000 award now with a later review. The motion to approve $50,000, with a directive that the city manager examine the budget for a possible supplemental payment in April, carried.
The contract includes a revised section clarifying that funds may be used to provide nutritious meals and, when necessary, shelter bed nights to residents of Harlingen and to people who become homeless within the city's limits; the change was intended to address the recent migrant arrivals who were dropped off in town, staff said.
The commission did not make a final decision on the requested $75,000 increase at the meeting.
