Council eyes $ for nonprofits

City officials are busy in budget workshop meetings this month, as they consider funding requests and allocations for various agencies both in Converse County and Glenrock.

No decisions were taken at this time, but are under consideration for the FY 2020-2021 budget.

The following funding requests were discussed at the April 23 workshop: Glenrock Economic Development Corporation, $4,000; Wyoming Child & Family Development, $1,000; Glenrock Chamber of Commerce, $10,000; Boys & Girls Club of Central Wyoming, $50,000; Northeast Wyoming Municipal Leaders, $2,000; Glenrock Recreation Center, $37,000; Children’s Advocacy Project $ 2,000; Glenrock Golf Course, $15,000; Paleon Foundation, $10,000; Solutions for Life, $5,000; Human Resource Council, $14,000; and the Converse Hope Center, $20,000.

“While we’ve discussed each request, formal approval will not be until our third reading of our budget ordinance. This should happen the second council meeting in June.  There are several that we are seeking more information on,” Town of Glenrock Treasurer Kelly Lewis said last week.

Some of the requests from local government have increased, while others have not.

The Paleon Foundation’s $10K request is $2K more than last year. Town councilwoman Margaret Nunn said “It looks pretty good and pretty reasonable.”

Mayor Bruce Roumell said the town had paid for the Paleon’s roof repairs a couple of years ago but knew at the time it was a short term solution.

“That’s the town’s building. We need to step up and do something to take care of it soon. I don’t have any issues funding what they’ve asked for,” Roumell replied.

Solutions for Life’s funding allocation request doubled this year, from $5K to $10K.

“Funding is $10,000 from the Town of Glenrock to help support the Glenrock office. Can we ask them for more details as to how they’re going to serve the people of Glenrock? They may really need it, we don’t know,” Nunn questioned during the discussion.

The town has allocated $5K a year to the organization since 2016, according to Lewis. Councilman John Moulton asked for additional metrics on the ask prior to approving the entire amount.

“Let’s approve the 5K and request further information, then decide on the other $5K from there,” Roumell suggested, agreeing with Moulton.

The Converse Hope Center (CHC) requested $20K for the new fiscal year, doubling their usual ask. Lewis said the town has funded the center at the $10K level for three years.

In addition to helping the Hope Center with funding, the town pays for their office space and utilities, officials said.

Councilwoman Nunn said the Hope Center’s services are important to Glenrock.

“I think this one is vital given the environment we’re living in. I can see us having lots more mental issues and family (issues), abused wives that need that service really badly. I think that is a very vital thing for our people,” Nunn said.

Glenrock Police Chief David Theel told council members the center is in need of additional shelter space. He supports CHC’s work, he said.

“It’s a great program. We’re trying to work with them more, the Father-Daughter Dance is a good example of that. We were looking at doing a family event this spring which got shut down with the current pandemic,” he said.

“The other thing to remember is we commonly think of the Hope Center as strictly domestic violence and sexual assault victims, but they do provide different services and advocacy for victims of all crimes.”

Nunn said she met with CHC Director Amy Needham last year and was very impressed with the work CHC is doing to “help people who are pretty desperate, that are pushed into a bad situation (and) it’s their only hope to get to a safe solution,” she said.

Roumell said he feels the town has supported CHC fairly well and considers it money well spent in their community.

Funding requests for the new fiscal year were not received from the senior center, housing authority, Laramie Peak Humane Society or Legion baseball, Lewis said.

“Letters were sent out earlier this year and our deadline for requests was April 10. I know the senior center has it’s own taxation district now, and yes, we’re planning on reaching out to the housing authority. Their director was in to ask questions several months ago,” Lewis said in reference to the town finding out if any of the entities who didn’t make requests by deadline may be in need of assistance.

“Let’s give them a shot – ask them what’s going on, if they need help to please let us know, tell us what, why and whereas,” Nunn commented.