A distribution of $292,102 was made to Washington County cities for the first quarter municipal funds from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF), according to WCRF Executive Director Patty Koller.

WCRF sets aside 25% of the funds it receives from the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort for direct aid to the municipalities on a quarterly basis.

“We do not want the funds to be used strictly to reduce taxes,” Koller said in an email to The News. “We are looking for projects that are unique and special and that otherwise would be difficult to accomplish within the general budget of that city.”

The funds are distributed on a per capita basis and that per capita has been adjusted slightly after the 2010 and 2020 census.

The per capita distribution for the first quarter of 2022 to the municipalities was:

• Ainsworth - $8,639.37

• Brighton - $9,639.37

• Crawfordsville - $5,342.04

• Kalona - $54,769.13

• Riverside - $21,323.46

• Washington - $157,004.85

• Wellman - $32,131.23

• West Chester - $2,628.92

Spring grants

The municipal grants are paid before funds are distribute to grants semi-annually. The WCRF board has received 35 applications in the spring grants. The recipients of the spring grant cycle will be announced May 18 at a site yet to be determined, according to Koller.

“WCRF money has made life-changing things happen for Washington county residents,” Koller said. “The cities have to fill out applications for their grant funds. It is mostly just a formality, but in the applications, they outline the projects they intend to do with the funds for the next year.”

“The WCRF board is looking for projects that otherwise would not be able to happen in their city,” she pointed out.

How are the area cities using municipal funds?

Wellman

Wellman City Administrator Kelly Litwiller reports that since 2008, the City of Wellman has used $1,240,438 in WCRF municipal funds to retire debt on the Parkside Activities Center.

“We will now be setting aside funds for campground in South Park, Downtown Streetscape and a few smaller projects,” Litwiller said. “These projects will not take place for a few years as we need to set aside funds to put toward these projects.  The City has been reducing debt for the past several years and is in a better place to start moving forward with some new projects.”

Riverside

Riverside City Clerk Becky LaRoche reports that the City of Riverside has used the $927,368.57 it has received in municipal funds  for fire department equipment, downtown street scape and road and street improvements.

From the start through 2013, all municipal funds went to the Volunteer Fire Department to help with the purchase of fire trucks and equipment.

LaRoche said the balance of the funds went to the city capital improvements projects:

• 2015 - Hall Park concession stand and new ADA restrooms.

• 2015-16 - Boise St. water main.

• 2016-17 - Ella Street project.

• 2018-19 - Downtown Streetscape & Highway 22 resurfacing.

• 2029-20 - Ash/Tupilo project.

• 2021 - 4th Street project.

LaRoche said the street projects include widening streets, water main with replaced curb stoops, sewer mains, storm drains, curb and gutter plus sidewalks

Kalona

Kalona City Administrator at the March 21 City Council meeting reported that Kalona had received an estimated $2.4 million in quarterly municipal funds since 2006. He reported that the funds had been used as follows:

•49% ($1,175,000) for community development and beautification including downtown streetscape, community center, area improvements and community branding.

•2% ($50,000) for economic development including city studies, collaborative studies with WEDG, Chamber programs and events.

•9% ($225,000) for education and arts including community events, Kalona Historical Village (digital marketing, events and youth programing such as summer school).

•40% ($915,000) for human & social needs including parks & recreation improvements, expanded sidewalk/trails connections (ADA), new recreational areas, pool improvements and campground improvements.