Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Riverton council splits $240,000 in community contract funding after heated debate; Mercy House gets $40,000, transit $25,000
Summary
After an extended debate over priorities, the Riverton City Council approved a $240,000 package of community contract awards, allocating $40,000 to Riverton's Mercy House and $25,000 to Wind River Transportation Authority, with other local nonprofits funded at council‑set levels.
Riverton’s City Council voted June 2 to allocate $240,000 in community contract funding for the coming fiscal year after lengthy discussion about priorities and service impacts.
Council members argued about how to balance funding for emergency human services, workforce programs and transit. Recreation requested a minimum of $100,000; Juvenile Justice Services’ historical funding and Mercy House’s request to open an emergency shelter drew repeated attention. Councilman Mike Bailey, Councilman Eric Carr and others said recreation, juvenile justice and emergency services were high priorities; Councilwoman Karen Johnson and Councilwoman Rebecca Brothers emphasized immediate human‑service impacts and urged larger support for Mercy House.
After multiple proposals and roll calls, the council adopted a motion setting the awards so that Riverton’s Mercy House receives $40,000 and Wind River Transportation Authority receives $25,000; the full slate totals $240,000 and passed by voice vote on the final motion.
Council and staff context: Mr. Butterfield and staff provided historical averages for several providers and noted that some groups—PAUSE (animal shelter) in particular—already receive in‑kind support from the city (building use and waived fees), which factored into funding choices. Mercy House representatives said a $40,000 allocation would materially reduce their remaining fundraising gap but would not by itself cover total start‑up costs.
What happens next: Staff will implement contract terms (quarterly payments were discussed, with PAUSE to be considered on a quarterly review given the committee process). Councilmembers said they expected the pause/animal‑control committee to bring recommendations that could affect future funding allocations.
