Livingston URA approves up-to-$35,000 reimbursement to keep warming center open through March 31

The Livingston City Urban Renewal Agency voted Feb. 25 to provide up to $35,000 in grant reimbursement to keep the local warming center open through March 31, with two conditions: URA funds must be applied last after other donations and grant awards, and the URA funds will not roll over into next year’s operations.

Grant, who spoke for the warming center operator, told the board the center is a 20-bed seasonal shelter that typically runs November through March and that operating costs average about $45,000 per month. He said the facility had 16 guests the previous night and that recent "code blue" cold snaps (24-hour operations) increased February costs. With existing funds and lower January salary expenses, the operator had resources to run the center through March 7 but needed additional support to remain open through March 31. Grant estimated $35,000 would cover operations to March 31.

Board members debated whether URA funds were an appropriate source. Several members — including Lisa Garcia, Melissa Noot (comments provided by email), and others — raised concerns that URA TIF funds are typically used for infrastructure and projects with broad, long-term benefit and that grants to nonprofits for operations risk creating a recurring precedent. City Manager Gager and others noted that urban renewal statutes allow certain expenditures related to relocation and housing and that the board could structure funding as a reimbursable grant with reporting and "but for" language to ensure other sources are exhausted first.

In response to board questions, Grant described the warming center’s funding mix: roughly $50,000 raised from community donations (matched with operational funds), $25,000 from the City of Livingston, Park County Community Foundation support, and other local sources. He said state and federal funding for shelter operating costs were not available and that fundraising is most productive in the holiday season (November–December) while donations in February–March are harder to secure.

The board approved a motion to fund warming center operations through March 31 up to $35,000 on the condition the URA funds are reimbursable, are used last ("but for" test), and do not roll over into next season’s operating funds. The URA will reimburse actual costs incurred and deduct incoming donations or other grants from the URA reimbursement amount. The operator agreed to provide reporting to the URA and to accept a reimbursement-based payment structure; staff said they commonly receive one invoice for a seasonal period rather than weekly draws.

Vote: Allison Mccenzi, Lisa Garcia, Julie Evans and Chris Raley voted in favor; two members (Sarah and Melissa) were absent. The motion passed.