The April 4 city council worksession focused on support that the city gives to various organizations providing services to Greenbelters as well as the budget for the Greenbelt Museum. There are two main classes of organizations receiving assistance: regional services such as Meals on Wheels or Washington Ear, and city contribution and recognition groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs or Senior Softball. The funding for contribution and recognition groups will be discussed on May 9 at 7 p.m. in the Community Center.
This first budget worksession of the year outside the center of the city was held in the Springhill Lake Recreation Center. Beyond city staff and representatives of the organizations seeking funding and this reporter, just one citizen, council regular Bill Orleans, attended. In her proposed budget City Manager Nicole Ard penciled in the same funding as the last few years for the service organizations. Greenbelt Intergenerational Volunteer Exchange Service (GIVES) would receive $1,000, Meals on Wheels – $2,000, Washington Ear – $1,000 and Miscellaneous – $2,500.
Washington Ear was unable to attend the meeting but councilmembers noted its longstanding service to the community, including reading the News Review to sight-impaired residents, and appeared willing to adopt Ard’s funding level.
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