Carbondale council provisionally boosts community agency grants to $505,275, flags budget trade-offs

The Carbondale City Council provisionally approved a package of community agency funding allocations totaling $505,275 for FY2026, an increase of $78,219 over staff recommendations, during a multi-hour item on the council agenda.

The funding discussion — Item 8.1 — began with staff noting that ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds used in prior years are not available for FY2026. City staff recommended holding most agencies at FY2025 funding levels and removing one-time awards. Council members and representatives of 11 organizations then made appeals and the council adjusted several line items by voice/thumb vote. Finance staff reported the provisional total at the end of the discussion: “Our total now is $505,275 which is an increase of $78,219 over the recommended amount of 427,056,” the city’s finance representative told the council.

Why it matters: Council members said they support many local nonprofits but warned the city’s general fund is not unlimited and that increases in allocations will require trade-offs in future budgets. Mayor Harvey and council members repeatedly reminded speakers that these allocations are provisional and will become final only when the council adopts the FY2026 budget at the April 22, 2025 hearing.

What the council approved (select items confirmed during the discussion) - Tisdale Woods Foundation (dental access program): council approved a $19,000 allocation after an appeal by the applicant; members stipulated funding focus on Carbondale residents at the council’s request. - Irma Hayes Center: council approved a $30,000 allocation to support building needs after members discussed prior one‑time support and ongoing needs. - Carbondale Junior Sports: council approved the organization’s requested $4,980 to support youth participation fees. - Y’all Rock Carbondale: council left staff’s recommended $5,000 in place. - Toys for Tots (Marine Corps program housed locally): council approved $1,000 to help with program costs. - Larry Jackson Foundation: council approved a $500 allocation to start a student equipment fund.

Council members and staff emphasized process, conflict-of-interest rules and limits Council member Drew Doherty (disclosing a familial tie to one applicant) said he would recuse himself from discussion and voting on that specific item: “I will not have any role in, discussing or voting on that matter,” he said on the record. Several council members urged stricter application rules and suggested staff present a clearer, Carbondale‑centric funding policy for future cycles.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the council’s provisional allocations into the draft FY2026 budget. Council members repeatedly noted that the figures are subject to revision and that the final allocations will be determined when the council adopts the FY2026 budget at the April 22, 2025 meeting.