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Medina County commissioners discuss using Community Foundation to hold dog-shelter donations
Summary
Commissioners and Medina County Community Foundation representatives discussed having the foundation hold private donations earmarked for the county's new dog shelter to avoid creating a separate nonprofit; they may execute a short agreement specifying use and release conditions.
Representatives of the Medina County Community Foundation briefed commissioners during the Sept. 23 discussion session on an option to hold private donations intended for a new county dog shelter.
Dan (representing the Foundation) said the Foundation can serve as a fiscal agent, either through a short fiscal-sponsorship arrangement for a one-time building project or as a designated fund to support ongoing shelter operations. He said donations held by the Foundation would remain tax-deductible for donors and would be secured by the Foundation's custody arrangements at a local bank and typical portfolio allocation (the Foundation described a 60% equities / 40% fixed-income target for invested funds). The legal arrangement would be a brief 2- to 3-page agreement specifying purpose, release conditions and who would authorize disbursements.
Commissioners signaled support for further discussion and requested sample agreements; members said the arrangement could simplify accepting private funds for construction and future operations and would avoid the need to create a stand-alone 501(c)(3).
Separately, the board discussed remaining CDBG funds from a completed Lodi sidewalk project. Denise Testa reported a final project cost of $69,783.45, leaving a balance of $11,616.55. Commissioners directed staff to reallocate the remaining funds to the Wadsworth Senior Site emergency housing and food assistance program and authorized planning to move forward with the previously proposed van purchase for a battered-women's shelter (the vendor specifications and funding levels had been discussed previously).
No formal contract with the Foundation or final agreements were executed at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to review sample agreements and follow up with the foundation and the county prosecutor's office as needed.
