Plans to update the city’s process for assisting 501(c)(3) organizations are on the agenda for the Wednesday, March 12, commission meeting. A proposed grant program offers guidelines and an application process for Winter Park-based organizations seeking funding for community projects and events.
The city budget now includes $100,000 that was part of a yearly funding agreement with Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, which ended last year. Commissioners agreed to begin adding the additional money to the Organizational Support Fund, made up of 0.25% of the gross revenue from the General Fund, Electric Utility, and Water & Wastewater Fund. The city’s nonprofit grants have traditionally been limited to no more than 50% of an organization’s total operational cost. And grant requests have been discussed and voted on during commission meetings. However, Commissioner Marty Sullivan during last year’s budget hearings suggested a procedural change to address confusion in the selection process. Mayor Sheila DeCiccio also requested the development of specific criteria for the distribution of the funds.
City staff presented a grant program concept during a February 12 work session and will offer an updated version Wednesday with guidelines that include the following:
- A $10,000 limit to grant requests.
- Funds can be used for projects that are accessible to the public and related to arts, culture, science, history, social services, or educational programs based within the city limits.
- Grant proposals will be reviewed by a committee made up of city advisory board members.
- Grant recommendations will be made to city commission for approval during the annual budget hearings.
- Funding will be disbursed at the start of each new fiscal year.
Upon commission approval of the new guidelines, city-based nonprofits will be notified of the program and of the application period that will begin in May. A draft of all nonprofit grant program guidelines and a grant application form can be viewed here.
City election
Voters will decide the race between City Commission Seat 3 incumbent Kris Cruzada and challenger Justin Vermuth when polls open on Tuesday. Both candidates took part in a February 7 forum where they expressed their views on budgetary issues, development, and other concerns.
Residents will also cast their vote on whether the repeal of the city ban on gas-powered leaf blowers should pass. The ordinance placing a referendum on the ballot passed city commission by a 3-2 vote in April. After confusion regarding the wording in the referendum, a clarified version was passed. Those in favor of repealing the ordinance banning internal combustion leaf blowers will vote “Yes” and those in favor of leaving the ordinance in place will vote “No.”
City meeting agendas, live streaming, and an archive of meeting recordings can be accessed at cityofwinterpark.org/meetings.