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Brookings council approves $274,254 in outside-agency funding after member disclosure
Summary
The Brookings City Council approved $274,254 in outside-agency allocations recommended by the United Way, after a council member disclosed ties to several recipient organizations and staff described prioritized areas including food security and rental assistance.
The Brookings City Council on March 2026 approved $274,254 in outside-agency funding recommended by the Brookings Area United Way, funding allocations city staff said were prioritized to address food security and rental assistance needs.
Heidi Gellickson, director of the Brookings Area United Way, told the council the recommendations were derived from an impact-based rubric and reflected current community needs. Gellickson said some organizations receiving allocations also draw on other funding sources, including United Way, and that the food pantry declined a request this year because community donations met immediate need. "If these organizations weren't there," Gellickson said, "we would see an increase in eviction" and related impacts such as job loss and transportation challenges.
Council member Durham disclosed multiple organizational roles connected to the funding item before the vote. Durham said she serves as executive director of Margo's Place, is president of the Brookings Backpack Project board and is a voting board member on the Brookings Area Transit Authority board. "After thoughtful consideration and consultation with legal counsel," Durham said, she concluded her participation did not constitute a direct financial or personal conflict and that she would take part in the discussion and vote.
Council member Specker asked for detail about the share of allocations tied to food security and rental assistance; Gellickson replied that allocations are often interconnected and that many service providers address multiple needs, which can make single-category percentages appear lower.
The council moved and approved the allocations by roll call. The hearing record shows recorded "Aye" votes from the council members called during the roll: Gary; Hager; Meyer; Specker; Avery.
What happens next: staff will implement the recommended allocations and distribute funds to the named agencies under the city's outside-agency process. The council did not amend the United Way recommendations before approval.
