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Libby council delays decision on $200,000 community development fund plan; will consider Moore Memorial Center repair request
Summary
Councilors debated whether to use community development funds to create an in‑house grant writer/community coordinator with roughly $200,000 startup or partner with KRDC; a motion to proceed was withdrawn pending clearer scope. Separately, the council will consider at its next meeting a request to use funds (estimate ~$19,000) to repair the Moore Memorial Center heating ignition.
The council spent significant time debating how to spend a proposed community development fund and whether to hire or contract a grant writer or community coordinator.
Jennifer McCully, speaking for the Kootenai River Development Council board, asked the council to consider partnership between KRDC and the city on a community development fund that could include dedicated staff to manage grants and projects. Gary Hunsberger, president of the Cleveland Heritage Council, asked the council to consider using community development funds to repair the Moore Memorial Center heating/ignition system; Hunsberger cited frequent community use of the center and presented a recent estimate of about $19,000 for the repair.
Councilors debated scope and cost of a proposed grant writer/community coordinator. Some members argued for an in‑house community coordinator who would outreach to local organizations and cultivate funding relationships; others preferred first compiling a list of qualified grant consultants. Concerns included the proposed $200,000 startup amount, whether the position would be full‑time staff or a roster of consultants, the appropriate pay range (council discussion referenced roughly $56,000 as a comparable compensation figure), and whether to partner with KRDC. Several councilors urged clearer scope and a time frame before proceeding.
A motion to proceed with seeking a grant writer was made and seconded, but after additional questions councilors agreed to withdraw the motion and defer the matter for further clarification; the mayor invited volunteers to form a committee to refine scope and cost estimates. The Moore Memorial Center funding request will be placed on the agenda for a decision at the council's next meeting (September 2).
