Ann Arbor Tables Human Services Funding

At its May 16, 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor city council tabled a resolution to allocate $1,159,029 in funding to nonprofits in the city that provide human services. The decision to table the human services funding was based on the council’s intention, announced by mayor John Hieftje at the start of the meeting, not to act on the fiscal year 2012 budget that night, but rather to recess the meeting and continue it on Monday, May 23.

It’s expected that when the budget resolution is considered on May 23, an amendment will be proposed to draw $85,600 from the city’s general fund reserve to increase the human services allocation. That budget amendment is expected to be proposed by Sabra Briere (Ward 1) and Marcia Higgins (Ward 4).

The original $1,159,029 amount to be allocated reflected a 9% reduction from FY 2011 human services funding levels. The council had postponed consideration of the human services allocation at its May 2, 2011 meeting in order to explore ways of “finding another dime.”

The city’s support for human services is allocated in coordination with other entities: the United Way of Washtenaw County ($1,677,000), Washtenaw County ($1,015,000) and the Washtenaw Urban County ($363,154).

Councilmembers were inclined to delay action on all budget-related issues, given their plan to delay action on the FY 2012 budget, which was achieved through a recess of the meeting until Monday, May 23. When the meeting continues at that time, the resolution on human services funding can be taken off the table for deliberation and a vote.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]