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Finance committee recommends FEMA breathing‑apparatus grant, YMCA scholarships, shelter funds and sets up federal equitable‑sharing account
Summary
The finance committee recommended council approval of a $540,535 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for breathing apparatus (10% match ~ $54,000), accepted a $3,900 YMCA scholarship donation, authorized Kenton Avenue shelters, approved routine SCMR appropriations, created a federal equitable‑sharing account, and accepted $15,294 in equitable‑shared funds; one committee member opposed the asset‑forfeiture account.
The Marion City Finance Committee met after the legislation committee and recommended council approval for several funding and program items.
Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG): Staff asked the committee to authorize the safety service director to apply for a FEMA AFG to replace or purchase self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs). The total grant request is $540,535, with a 10% local match of about $54,000; staff said the city is eligible to request an economic‑hardship waiver in the AFG application and would submit a waiver narrative as part of the application if necessary. The committee voted to send the ordinance to council with a recommendation to approve.
YMCA scholarship donations: The committee accepted two donations from the Marion Community Foundation totaling $3,900 to provide scholarships for youth use of the YMCA Rec Center for fiscal 2026. Staff reported increased participation—monthly attendance for students rose from an average of about 84 to roughly 267 after the program reduced fees—and that the program includes meal service for many participants. The committee recommended approval.
Kenton Avenue shelters and SCMR appropriations: The city will accept Marion Community Foundation funds for two shelters at the Kenton Avenue rail crossing (materials only; in‑house labor will construct them). The committee also approved routine additional appropriations to the SCMR fund for the 2026 fiscal year; both items were recommended to council.
Federal equitable‑sharing fund and monies: The committee approved a resolution to establish a local federal equitable‑sharing fund to receive proceeds from federal asset forfeiture (typically from drug cases). Members discussed prior cases where federal partners handled seized assets; the roll call vote passed with one dissent (Mr. Rollins voted no). The committee also approved an ordinance accepting $15,294 in equitable‑shared funds to be transferred into the new account; staff will add final account numbers on the council draft.
Before adjournment the committee voted to enter executive session with the city attorney to discuss threatened, imminent or pending litigation.
