Lake City Council approves $5,000 to send Columbia High softball team to state tournament

The Lake City Council voted May 18 to provide $5,000 to help Columbia High Schoolsoftball travel to the state tournament.

The funding request was introduced during public participation by Rayan Winganger of the Columbia High softball program, who said the team qualified for state and had budgeted about $15,000 for travel and lodging. "Our season record is 27 and three," Winganger said, and added the program was "about $5,000 short right now." Councilman Jernigan moved to add a funding item to the agenda and later moved to fulfill the team's request for $5,000.

Council members discussed logistics, who should receive the check and tax requirements. Staff and finance noted that mayoral matching-grant rules require payments to qualifying tax-exempt organizations; after discussion the council voted to reconsider the original motion and then amended the funding source. The council approved routing the $5,000 from the city manager's special-events/general fund to the Columbia High Diamond Club (the council asked staff to obtain a W-9 and any required paperwork). Mayor Walker and all council members voted in favor of the final funding arrangement.

The council and public urged a quick turnaround so the team could travel on its schedule; several council members praised the student athletes and encouraged the community to support the trip. Council members also discussed that the dugout club and other community fundraising had already raised most of the money and that private donations would be used to resolve any tax issues if necessary.

Next steps: staff will process the payment after receiving the Diamond Club's W-9 and any other finance-required documentation, and the council asked for confirmation once the funds are disbursed.