SAFFORD — The Safford City Council gave no indication Monday on the direction it will take on the process of disbursing city funds to nonprofit and charitable organizations, instead directing staff to bring the matter back at a future work session.
Eighteen organizations have requested a total of $227,293 in financial help from the city, with the city budgeting a maximum disbursement of $100,000.
Representatives of 13 of the 18 nonprofits that applied spoke before the City Council during Monday’s work session, each being given three minutes to speak. They included:
- Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley
- Desert Seed Resource Center
- Easter Seals Blake Foundation
- Eastern Arizona Hispanic Heritage Corp.
- First United Methodist Church
- Gila Valley Arts Council
- Gila Valley Balloons
- Gila Valley Samaritan Home
- Graham County Citizens Alliance
- Mt. Graham Safe House
- Safford Lions Foundation
- SEACUS
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
“It’s very important to me who does show up,” said Councilman Brand Hemphill, “so I’d like to make that comment, too, in my consideration.”
Organizations that did not speak before council include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona, Desert Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry, Safford Bulldog Booster Club, and Safford Downtown Association.
Ten of the 18 applicants received funding under the program last year — Safe House, St. Vincent, Boys and Girls Club, Our Neighbor’s Farm, Downtown Association, Hispanic Heritage, the Arts Council, SEACUS, Gila Valley Balloons and the Bulldog Booster Club.
Date of the next session to discuss funding levels and take action on funding disbursement was not announced during Monday’s meeting.
