Committee OKs placing data-sharing agreement with Combined Fund Drive on consent calendar; staff says city pays no joining fee

The committee reviewed a separate action that is required for the city to participate in the Combined Fund Drive and to permit payroll deductions to reach employees' charity choices. Troy explained the data-sharing agreement is the item required to join and that it "doesn't cost us anything to join the combined fund drive" as a city — employee donations would be payroll-deduction amounts passed through to the Combined Fund Drive.

Councilmember Swarthout and Mayor Pro Tem Vonholtz asked about whether the Combined Fund Drive charges an administrative fee. Troy said he was not 100% sure but that the program's operating costs are typically covered by a small administrative fee charged to participating charities rather than the city. Kelly (a council member) added that the Combined Fund Drive is operated by the State of Washington and its operating costs are typically covered through a small fee charged to participating charities. Mayor Pro Tem Vonholtz moved to place the data-share agreement on the Aug. 18 consent calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign; Councilmember Swarthout seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Why this matters: joining the Combined Fund Drive consolidates payroll deductions for employee charitable giving and can reduce payroll-account complexity; council requested confirmation of any fees or administrative implications for charities and staff will provide clarifying information in the consent packet.