Finance Committee approves discretionary grants to local libraries and nonprofits

During the grants matrix portion of the May 26 meeting, Finance Committee members moved and approved multiple allocations from councilmembers' discretionary accounts to neighborhood libraries and nonprofit programs.

Councilman Koneko announced motions to allocate $3,000 each to the Corporate Callaway Library (Odessa), Delaware City Library and the Newcastle Library to offset budget cuts; each motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Councilman Koneko also moved funds for neighborhood maintenance and beautification projects, and Councilwoman George and other members moved and approved grants to FosterWell ($1,656.15 covered by Councilwoman George), the Police Athletic League of Wilmington ($5,000 from Councilman Hollins), United Way of Delaware (Councilman Sheldon committed $5,000), Project ACT, Emerge Wellness Center, and numerous small community scholarship and youth programs.

Motions were routinely seconded and carried with "ayes" recorded; no recorded oppositions were noted in the transcript. These allocations were drawn from individual council members' discretionary grant accounts rather than the county's general operating budget.

What happens next: Allocations will be processed through the county grants and finance offices for disbursement to the named organizations.