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Council rejects amendment to change YWCA funding source; $200,000 approved for shelter improvements
Summary
The Budget and Finance Committee approved a $200,000 closeout allocation to the YWCA for shelter improvements after rejecting a motion to change the original funding source. Council debate focused on whether the administration may substitute funding pots without returning to council.
The Budget and Finance Committee on March 9 approved an ordinance allocating $200,000 to the YWCA for shelter improvements for survivors of domestic violence.
Council member Walsh moved from the floor to amend the ordinance and restore the allocation’s originally cited funding source — the infrastructure and capital project reserve — arguing the administration should not change the source without returning to council. “I think it’s outrageous, frankly, that we have an ordinance here that doesn’t include that source,” Walsh said during debate.
Solicitor Swim responded that, from a legal standpoint, the money could come from either pot and that law had no objection. The committee held a roll-call vote on Walsh’s amendment; the motion to change the funding source failed, with Walsh the lone yes among those who cast ballots.
The committee then took a roll-call vote on the ordinance itself. The YWCA appropriation passed with a majority: Council members Evan Nolan, Mark Jeffries, Scottie Johnson, Ryan James, Owens and Anna Albee voted yes; Council members Walsh and Kramer Ding voted no.
Dr. Dudas, speaking for the administration, said the YWCA shelter was found to qualify as congregate housing and therefore eligible for the housing and economic development capital project reserve, which is the source identified in the ordinance the committee approved.
The committee’s chair said the vote reflected concerns about source selection but affirmed support for the project’s goals. The ordinance will provide funds for security upgrades and other improvements the YWCA requested to serve survivors of domestic violence.
Next steps: the ordinance will be posted as passed; the administration will implement the expenditure from the identified reserve and proceed with the planned improvements.
