City Council Approves External Agency Funds, Tables Community Center

1-20-15 Galesburg City CouncilFourteen area agencies and organizations will receive funding from the City of Galesburg despite the fact that it will go over budget.

Representatives from Knox County Habitat for Humanity, Galesburg Railroad Days, and the Knox County Fair all spoke out in support of receiving city funds at last night’s City Council meeting.

Council members voted three times in relation to the funds. The original vote awarded $77,500 to applicants–putting the budget over by $ 7,750. However, a revision was later made to grant the Knox County Fair additional funding then what was proposed originally by City Manager Todd Thompson. The amendment was suggested by 5th Ward Alderman Peter Schwartzman, who initially voted as the deciding vote against granting $$3,000 in additional funds. Schwartzman explained that he was unaware the fair was receiving less funding than “agencies with the city.”

“It’s not included in all the applications and details in what was described,” says Schwartzman. “In the vote that took place on this amendment of the Knox County Fair, my vote–I didn’t realize it would be the deciding vote–was no on the basis of the information I had in front of me.”

The amendment would go on to be approved 4-3. A final vote was then cast to award $80,500 to applicants–leaving the city with a $10,750 deficit. Meanwhile, funding to name the Boys & Girls Club of Knox County as the City Community Center was tabled.

Further discussion is expected at the next scheduled board meeting.

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