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Equity Commission prioritizes community‑and‑cultural events for pilot grants
Summary
The commission voted to prioritize funding for applications that combine community and cultural elements (option 3), selecting eight applicants for priority distribution and asking staff to implement funding consistent with that approach.
The Lacey Equity Commission voted on March 23 to prioritize community cultural grants that demonstrate both community benefit and cultural programming, moving forward with the staff option to prioritize those applications rather than an equal distribution or a smaller set of awards.
Staff described 16 applications (12 met the eligibility criteria) and outlined four options: (1) equal percentage funding across eligible applicants, (2) concentrate funding on 5–6 applicants, (3) prioritize events that are both community‑oriented and culturally focused, and (4) fund all applicants but allocate per‑applicant amounts based on merit. After discussion about the pilot nature of the program, eligibility criteria, and outreach to underrepresented communities, commissioners voted to adopt option 3.
The commission recorded the motion, seconded it, and the transcript shows the motion passed after voice votes (yays, a nay and an abstention were noted in the discussion). Commissioners discussed recusals for specific applicants where conflicts exist and asked staff to note recusals when bringing final funding recommendations.
Staff said the council provided pilot funding for the program this year and that the commission’s option will prioritize the eight applicants that met both community and cultural criteria; staff will return with allocation numbers and a recommended distribution schedule.
Next steps: staff will distribute funds consistent with option 3, prepare the detailed allocation recommendations and note any commissioner recusals before finalizing awards.
