Council approves $120,000 in community benefit grants after amended allocation

Chelan City Council voted March 10 to award $120,000 in community benefit grants to eight local organizations, adopting a council amendment that adjusted staff recommendations to increase awards for two recipients.

City Administrator Laura McLuhn summarized the review process: 13 applications were submitted, one withdrew and another was excluded for seeking tourism dollars. Staff'recommended awards totaling $120,000 based on council scoring and a prior workshop.

Staff'identified the recommended awards as: Thrive Chelan Valley ($33,000), Only 7 Seconds ($16,500), Special Olympics ($5,000), Lake Chelan Food Bank ($15,000), Chelan Valley Hope ($33,000), Chelan Valley Community Nurse ($8,000), Chelan Valley Connect ($500), and Meals on Wheels/Okanogan County transportation network ($9,000). The initial staff totals equaled $120,000.

Councilmember Hollingsworth moved to shift $2,000 from Only 7 Seconds to fully fund Thrive Chelan Valley at $35,000. After discussion and a subsequent amendment from Councilmember Brad that redistributed funds to give both Thrive Chelan Valley and Chelan Valley Hope $35,000 while reducing Only 7 Seconds to $12,500, the council approved the amended distribution. The final approved awards were:

- Thrive Chelan Valley: $35,000 - Chelan Valley Hope: $35,000 - Only 7 Seconds: $12,500 - Lake Chelan Food Bank: $15,000 - Chelan Valley Community Nurse: $8,000 - Chelan Valley Connect: $500 - Meals on Wheels / Okanogan County transportation: $9,000 - Special Olympics: $5,000

Council members described the process as difficult and noted all applicants are worthy; the amendment was framed as a choice to boost locally based organizations that lack other funding sources.

What happens next: staff will finalize award paperwork and distribute funds per the amended allocations.