Five area agencies have requested a total of $11,150 from the town of Mancos to help fund various nonprofit activities next year, more than two-thirds the amount town officials are expected to budget.
Earlier this month, town officials announced they were accepting funding proposals to help support nonprofit community organizations. The town has allocated $3,300 for all nonprofits in its preliminary 2014 budget.
"The town is committed to preserving and enriching the health, education, welfare and fitness of the community," said Town Administrator Andrea Phillips earlier this month.
In a memo to town trustees last week, Phillips said the town couldn't fund every request at 100 percent during fiscal year 2014. Town trustees are expected to prioritize and decide who gets what the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 24, at a bi-monthly meeting.
The Four Corners Recycling Initiative requested $1,350 to be used to increase the amount of pickups at its school recycling drop-off location from three to four times each month. Because of heavy use, recyclables are often times left outside the collection bins. Through the first half of 2013, more than 20 tons of recyclables have been collected in Mancos.
The Mancos Senior Citizens Center application reveals its funding request of $2,800, which would be used to increase the number of hot meals provided daily to residents in need. The center currently serves some 500 meals monthly.
The Montezuma School to Farm Project has launched school garden programs at all three school districts in the county. They are seeking an additional $3,000 in funding to establish a pilot youth farmers market in Mancos to teach kids the business aspect of production farming.
Applications reveal that the Axis Mental Health Center seeks $1,000 in funding to help serve inpatient psychiatric needs of Mancos residents. Nearly 20 Mancos residents have benefitted from inpatient services over the last three years.
In its inaugural year, the town beautification group would use its requested $3,000 in funding to plant flowers around town.
Other items listed on the agenda for the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, trustees meeting:
Receive a presentation from the Mancos Tree Board to double next year's budget to $10,000.
Consider appointing Robert Seney to the planning and zoning commission.
Approve a new sewer grinder at the wastewater-treatment facility at a cost of $67,868.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com