It was all in favour for the list of grants approved by City Council at the last Council meeting, having completed the list one week prior.
By the time the gavel fell, $45,749.29 in grants had been approved, cut down some $20-thousand from the applications received.
That leaves $4,250.71 remaining of the $50,000 budget allocated, of which Financial Services Manager Wayne Anderson said there are multiple options to tackle.
“It can be left to either be allocated to additional grant in aid requests, or you may decide to reduce the overall grant in aid funding, or move a portion of, or all of the balance of, the $4,250.71 to the contingency fund.”
A number of in-kind applications were also approved, meaning it comes out of the grant in aid fund as the event happens.
Some in-kind approvals included the use of the City Hall parking lot by the Nicola Valley Farmer’s Market Association for their weekly farmers markets, an in-kind field rental as well as city services by the Merritt Country Run, the use of the aquatic centre by the Merritt Otters Swim Club in June for their annual swim meet, the use of the Civic Centre auditorium for the Centennials’ annual Icebreaker fundraiser, and the use of the Civic Centre for the year-end recital by the Merritt Dance Society.
The largest financial aid request approval was to the Merritt Curling Club, tentatively approving $7,500 for assistance in replacing the roof. The club will be meeting with city staff on Feb. 25 to discuss other possible loan/funding options as well.
Other noted items of interest include $4,000 in financial aid to the 2020 Merritt Country Christmas event, just over $2,000 to the Canadian Country Music Heritage Society for handprint refurbishing around town, assistance with replacement of a water pipe along the Nicola River on hole nine of the Merritt Golf and Country Club, and grants for various events through the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, such as community art shows and public art works.
Only a pair of applications did not see approval: it was deemed that the Youth & Family Resources Society needs to give more information before receiving a gardening grant, while the Dog Enthusiasts Society’s request for use of the Civic Centre will be discussed in the future regarding alternate location possibilities.
