WCRF awarded more than $2.9 million in grants in 2008

By Mary Zielinski
The Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) awarded a total of $2,948,683.19 in competitive grants and municipal allocations in 2008. ÊFunds derive from the $3,280,233.04 the WCRF received from the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort last year. ÊLast year, the WCRF received a total of $3,252,952.69 in state mandated funds from the Casino
According to the WCRF’s annual report, it awarded 57 competitive grants in 2008 that totaled $2,129,035. Additionally, there was a total of $819,648.19 to the county’s nine incorporated cities from the WCRF’s municipal allocation. The allocation is 25 percent of the total received from the Casino and is awarded to the cities on a per capita basis.
Total funding from the Casino last year was more than $27,000 higher than the funds for 2007.
Ainsworth received $32,146.27 and used it to help pay engineering and construction costs for water mains. Brighton, $42,150.99, used for a community shelter, improvements to the community center, Brighton Trees Forever, purchase of a backhoe, repairs to the fire station, a new copy machine and computer monitor for city hall and $25,000 to help pay for a new fire department tanker/pumper.
Coppock, which received $902.05, did not submit a report to the WCRF. Crawfordsville used its $18,123.26 to purchase a new emergency siren, land for a future building site and a back-up generator for its water plant.
Kalona, which received $140,886.01, did not submit a report. However, Kalona has not spent any of its WCRF funds that began being awarded to the cities in the fall of 2006.
Riverside spent its $56,994.05 to supplement the cost of a new fire truck for the city.
Washington did not submit a report about the $433,07278 it received. ÊHowever, the city had previously indicated the funds were helping with the costs of the new public library.
Wellman received $85,614.09 and used it for major renovation of the Rec Center, painting the North Park band shell, purchasing three defibrillators (for three different buildings) and a warning siren.
West Chester received $9,758.59, using it to pay for tree work along the city streets with the balance to pay for sealcoating the streets this summer.
During the WCRF annual meeting at the Riverside Casino, executive administrator Jim Logan reported “We saw the completion or starting of all the projects from the initial grant period.” The WCRF also moved to a new office in the Bryson Block, with space in the Washington Chamber of Commerce office.
The board will seek another member to replace Larry Marek whose term ended in December and who, as a state legislator could not continue on the board.
“We will see another rural member,” said Logan and the WCRf is now taking applications for the position.
The board also elected officers with the current ones continuing: Tim Putney, president, Patty Koller, vice-president; Ronald C. Slechta, secretary, and Ted Drain, treasurer. ÊFour members also were re-elected to the board: Ed Raber, Ted Drain, Michel blum and Adam Richards.
The board also discussed that members will have only two consecutive terms.
Next meeting is 6 p.m. March 18 at the Washington Y building.
Following the meeting, the board members and their spouses had dinner at Ruthie’s Steak House at the Casino.