Council considers large donation to Raise the Bar

FINDLAY — Findlay City Council is considering paying ahead on its five-year commitment to Hancock County Raise the Bar, a donation at least one council member hopes is the last. At Tuesday's regular meeting of city council, legislation that would make a $90,000 contribution to the workforce development initiative was given its second reading. The money will cover the city's commitment for the next three years. The money is part of a proposed reappropriation of American Rescue Plan Act funds meant to empty the city's account before the Dec. 31 spending deadline. Any ARPA funds left unspent by the end of the year must be returned to the federal government. ARPA was a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package signed by President Joe Biden in March 2021 to speed up the country's recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recession. The city received $4.2 million in ARPA funding. Findlay has contributed $30,000 each year to Raise the Bar since the nonprofit was established in 2016. The initiative also receives support from the Hancock County commissioners, The Community Foundation, Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development and United Way of Hancock County. Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, who argued against making the first contribution, insisted Tuesday that the ARPA donation be the city's last. Frische is opposed to the city donating to Raise the Bar because she said several nonprofits in the city would benefit from similar donations, and argues that it's unfair to help just a few. She says it also sets a precedent for other nonprofits to seek donations from the city. On Tuesday, Frische requested a separate resolution stipulating the $90,000 donation is for the next three years, along with language indicating that its obligation to Raise the Bar has been fulfilled. Councilman Dennis Hellmann, R-2, spoke out against any language that would attempt to restrict future councils from making donations. Mayor Christina Muryn said the lump sum payment to Raise the Bar will better position the nonprofit to seek funding from other sources. If approved, ARPA money left unspent on several projections would make up the donation to Raise the Bar, including $1,200 appropriated to the development of the city's Americans with Disabilities Act plan; $80,000 from its demolition program; $2,333 for a police vehicle; $2,759 for tree planting; and $3,707 in returned ARPA funds. The legislation would also award a $131,000 grant to the City Mission, 510 W. Main Cross St., for capital projects. The city's balance of $63,402 in ARPA funds would go to the subgrant for the City Mission, along with $20,111 in returned funds; $20,486 budgeted for tree planting; and $27,000 for improvements to Emory Adams Park, 1827 S. Blanchard St. An additional $22,640 set aside for tree planting would be reappropriated for equipment for the city's police command trailer. The balance of the ARPA funding for Emory Adams Park, $2,527, would be spent to host a citywide bulk trash and tire dropoff.