Budget Talks Lead To Debate

SILOAM SPRINGS LEADERS MAY CUT FUNDING TO SEVERAL GROUPS

By Jessica Weekley

Thursday, December 3, 2009

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Brent Koci works Wednesday at the Adult Development Center in Siloam Springs. Siloam Springs may cut funding for nonprofit groups such as the Adult Development Center. Brad DeZurk, administrator of the center, said he understands the economic problems and is thankful for all the support the city has given to the center.

Brent Koci works Wednesday at the Adult Development Center in Siloam Springs. Siloam Springs may cut funding for nonprofit groups such as the Adult Development Center. Brad DeZurk, administrator of the center, said he understands the economic problems and is thankful for all the support the city has given to the center.
Photo by Justin Wedgworth

A city board member stormed out of Tuesday night’s Board of Directors meeting after a heated exchange with the mayor.

During a discussion about next year’s city budget, Mayor David Allen and director Mark Long argued regarding the distribution of city money to nonprofi t organizations.

The debate ended with City Attorney Jay C. Williams fielding legal questions after Long’s motion to call for a vote on the budget while the mayor continued to speak.

After being told he could not move the meeting forward, Long made an alternate motion — for the meeting to be adjourned — but no second was made.

Long responded to the lack of support by walking out of the board room.

The night ...

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sfret says...

You couldn't find $1,500 for the swim team? But, you can fund "flag replacement"?

I don't get it. It seems a little skimming off of others funding just a bit would be warranted.

After all. The Lions is a private organization with its own hiarchy of importance (not to say they don't do good things).

Jim Laubler
Special Forces Ret.

December 3, 2009 at 8:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

rdft says...

“If you can’t do it for everybody, you can’t do it for just one,” director Danny Wasson said.

Is that not what they just did? Three programs got funding and three didn't. Would it not have been better to cut everyone's funds across the board?

Museum: $37,000
Boys & Girl's Club: 18,500
Lion's Club: $6,000
Arts Center: $14,500
Swim team: $1,000
Development Center: $6,000

That's an even cut across the board - everyone still gets about 75% of what they were asking, but the total remains the same - $83,000.

Come on Siloam! Either say outright that you value those three services more than the others, or be as fair as possible to all six.

December 3, 2009 at 10:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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