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Committee adopts $841,000 base for community-agency grants, sets occupancy-tax starting allocations
Summary
The Finance Committee accepted a CBAC-derived $841,000 base scenario for general-fund community-agency grants and adopted a $3.78 base for occupancy-tax distributions in a committee straw vote; staff will refine prorations and return at the next budget workshop.
The Finance Committee conducted a detailed discussion of community-agency requests and, by straw vote, accepted a CBAC-derived base scenario that totals $841,000 for general-fund community-agency allocations.
Mr. Tesh explained the base scenario was created by averaging council members’ preferences for entities that received four or more votes; the total general-fund pool available for FY27 was stated as $956,550, leaving roughly $115,050 in unallocated funds under that starting scenario.
Council members debated allocation philosophy: some argued against fully funding single organizations (risking dependence and future funding cliffs) and urged spreading funds to impact more neighborhoods, while others favored accepting the averaged base as the committee’s starting point. Chairman Clark said he would work with staff to prorate and adjust the starred additions members raised and return with a refined list at the next workshop.
On occupancy-tax distributions, staff noted historically funded recipients (Piedmont Triad Film Commission, River Run, the North Carolina Black Repertory Company/International Black Theater Festival, and Old Salem). The committee adopted a $3.78 base for occupancy-tax allocations by voice vote and discussed using the remaining ~ $28,000 for one-time support (council discussed proposals including Colladium, youth events and film/arts support).
Representatives from City with Dwellings and The Dwelling described emergency-winter-shelter services, case management, resource navigation, meal programs and drop-in services, and asked council to consider funding to support shelter and evening meals. Staff clarified HUD-funded pools (CDBG, ESG) are handled separately and that the committee was discussing local general-fund allocations. Legal Aid was noted as already receiving funding through a human‑relations contract for an eviction-diversion program. The committee set a path to finalize allocations at upcoming budget workshops.
