Town fully funds grant requests from nonprofits

In a sign of normalcy and optimism, the La Conner Town Council Sept. 28 agreed without comment to provide $183,450 to local nonprofits next year from Town Hotel Motel Tax revenues. Councilmember Bill Stokes, speaking for the finance committee, told council “We made full recommendations this year. Everyone got their full budget.”

The La Conner Chamber of Commerce’s $80,000 is the bulk of the grants, 43.6%. Seven tourist-focused organizations will get $19,200, with the Museum of Northwest Arts $5,000, the largest request.

Grants ranging from $2,500 down to $1,000 will be provided to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, Skagit County Historical Museum, Pacific NW Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, La Conner Art’s Foundation for Art’s Alive, La Conner Live for the Sunday Gilkey Square concerts and Skagit Artists Together for their NW Art Beat Studio Tour.

The Town is tapping $84,250, 46%, for internal projects: $50,200 for the restrooms and visitor landscaping, $21,800 for Love La Conner sculpture advertising and $12,000 for La Conner advertising.

The vote was 3-0 with Mary Wohleb absent.

Last year’s requests were funded at 60% and totaled $115,250.

Town council will approve the budget in December. Funds will be distributed in 2022.

The other significant news in its 25 minute meeting in Maple Hall was Administrator Scott Thomas’ report that, in a return to normal, “there will probably be a Halloween parade” of school children on First Street. Last year’s was canceled, with book reading substituted.

Mayor Ramon Hayes shared his criticism of social media as not productive in advancing discussion in the community, noting “it perpetuates that cycle of distrust” and called “it a lot of crap.” Councilmember Marylee Chamberlain suggested a communications person would help, floating the idea of a part-time staff person while recognizing the additional expense of the position. “There’s big stuff happening with big projects in our town,” she noted, lamenting information does not get out to residents.

Thomas said the first need is for a communications plan, while funding a position will be difficult.

Stokes and Hayes agreed that they would like people to reach out to council members more, Hayes encouraging “our people to reach out,” probably meaning staff, and that residents have to reach out as well, saying “people have a responsibility to inform themselves.”