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Committee forwards Maumee Community Cares fund ordinance draft to council
Summary
The committee voted July 8 to send a draft ordinance creating a Maumee Community Cares special revenue fund—modeled on Columbus's program—to the full council. Staff said donations would be held in a separate fund and requests evaluated anonymously by a peer group.
The committee voted July 8 to forward a draft ordinance to create a Maumee Community Cares special revenue fund to the full council.
Staff presented a proposal modeled on a program in Columbus that would let utility customers donate voluntarily—by adding a charge line on bills or by donating online—to a separate fund dedicated to helping residents with water and sewer affordability. Staff said Dan reviewed Columbus's program and drafted an ordinance.
Staff described safeguards and administration: requests for assistance would be evaluated anonymously by a peer group with names and account numbers removed, and donations would be retained in a distinct special revenue fund rather than commingled with other funds. Staff also provided mock-ups of the bill line item and an online donation page as record-keeping tools.
"Each request for assistance would be evaluated anonymously through a peer group where address, name, account number would be removed," Jennifer said. She acknowledged the program could attract repeat applicants and said that would be part of future discussions about eligibility and oversight.
A committee member moved to send the Maumee Community Cares Fund draft ordinance to the council; the chair seconded and the committee voted "Aye." The measure will proceed to the full council for consideration and any required appropriations or ordinance adoption.
Staff said they would also publicize the donation option in the city newsletter and implement online and stand-alone donation mechanisms for tracking contributions.
