Re-evaluating city donations has merits
McMinnville city administrator David Rutherford brings up several interesting arguments in his pitch to have elected officials re-evaluate how the city distributes some of its taxpayer dollars.
One of those points ‘ that it’s absurd to do the same thing year after year and expect different results ‘ is completely valid.
For years, the city of McMinnville has been giving money to the Industrial Development Board and received, by most accounts, precious little in return. Last year, the city increased its IDB funding to nearly $100,000, or $96,650 to be exact.
It should be fully noted that industrial recruitment is not a field for those who crave instant gratification. It could be more aptly compared to an incubator where prospects need time to germinate before they sprout roots and pay dividends.
In the case of city and county government, it might well be time to discover if those roots can find more fertile soil. For years, the IDB has absorbed tax dollars and often produced little in return.
Over the past 10 years, the most noteworthy IDB accomplishments have been to spearhead efforts for a spec building, and to bring Store Opening Solutions to the old Carrier building.
Momentum for a spec building began in the 1990s before funding was approved and construction took place in the early part of this decade. Having a spec building in place was a large reason the county was able to keep Morrison Tool & Fab when that business began to blossom and needed more space.
Store Opening Solutions, a warehouse and distribution center, has very quietly grown its workforce to roughly 50 employees. A recent SOS job fair showed the need for more forklift-trained employees as the workforce appears ripe for more expansion.
If city officials believe their $96,650 contribution to the IDB and a separate $50,000 contribution to Main Street McMinnville aren’t the best use of taxpayer dollars, perhaps now is an opportune time to consider ways to better utilize those funds.
Combined, those contributions amount to $146,650 ‘ and that’s on an annual basis. It certainly appears to be money that could bring business to McMinnville. And the need for more local jobs is the chorus to the song everyone is singing right now.
Another one of Rutherford’s points ‘ that the city should not donate taxpayer dollars to non-profit organizations ‘ also has its value. It can be said that if taxpayers want to give money to charity, then let them do it themselves. That’s not the job of government.
However, if the city discontinues about $42,000 in annual non-profit funding, it could be problematic ‘ especially if it stops services people depend on.
Since most of us want to live in a city that provides recreation for senior citizens, and provides meals for the needy, and provides emergency assistance to fire victims, we need certain non-profit organizations to remain fully operational. That means the city’s $4,000 donation to the Senior Center is needed; it means the $6,000 contribution to Meals on Wheels is essential; it means the $7,000 in funding to the Red Cross can’t be halted.
McMinnville city government ‘ as an entity ‘ has a responsibility to provide a certain level of services to its residents. Police and fire protection immediately come to mind.
But it doesn’t stop with those front-line services. It extends to organizations like Families in Crisis, where battered women can seek refuge at a time of distress, and it extends to organizations like Warren County CARES, where workers help elderly people perform basic chores like grocery shopping. As a community that wants to move forward and be a great place to call home, these non-profit groups are badly needed. To sacrifice their existence by stopping their funding would not be a benefit.
When it comes to Rutherford’s proposal to slash city contributions, McMinnville may be wise to consider some of his suggestions. If we want different results, we may need to try different approaches.
But ending contributions to non-profit organizations should not be among the options.