Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Danielle Buschkoetter, Management Intern
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE:	June 16, 2016 – Updated 06/20/16
RE:	2017 Budget Requests from Outside Agencies

Background

The 2017 budget requests from outside agencies are outlined below. Requests from outside agencies include several social service agencies, organizations considered vendors that provide services that would otherwise be provided by the City, as well as economic development agencies. Additionally, there are requests from other government agencies and City advisory boards.

Additional information, such as individual agency budget request applications, can be found at www.lawrenceks.org/budget/funding-applications/2017.

· Social Service Agencies

o The Social Service Funding Advisory Board (SSFAB) has provided recommendations for funding from the general fund and special alcohol fund. Agency application materials are online at www.lawrenceks.org/budget. Minutes are available for the June 9, 2016 meeting (where the Board discussed each application) as well as minutes for the June 13, 2016 meeting (where the Board discussed recommendations).

· Vendors

o The following requests were received from vendors that provide services that the City would otherwise provide.

§ Lawrence Arts Center: The Lawrence Arts Center receives support from the general fund and special recreation fund. This year, The Arts Center submitted a request for capital improvements for a new security system ($ 28,000), new carpet ($12,000), and wireless internet connection improvements ($4,000). They are also requesting an increase of $15,000 to provide additional scholarship opportunities.

§ Lawrence Community Shelter (LCS): The Lawrence Community Shelter receives support from the general fund and special alcohol fund. The LCS is requesting an additional $50,000 in general fund support and requesting an additional $85,500 in special alcohol fund support.

§ Lawrence Humane Society: The Lawrence Humane Society receives support from the general fund. The Humane Society is requesting the same amount as the 2016 budget.

· Economic Development

o Most of the agencies that help support economic development have requested level funding. The following requests were those that requested additional funds.

§ Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC): BTBC receives support from the general fund. In addition to their request of $200,000 for general operation and $75,000 for an incubator, they submitted a request for $75,000 for an economic development incentive fund.

§ Peaslee Center: The Peaslee Center receives support from the general fund. They are requesting an additional $95,105 for increased sustainability as well as needed facility maintenance.

· Other Government Agencies

o The following requests were received from other government agencies that receive partial funding for certain programs.

§ Douglas County Health Department: The City funds 40% of the operating costs for the Douglas County Health Department through the general fund. The Health Department is requesting an additional $41,942 to assist with current budgeted program expenses and to partially provide the local match/maintenance requirements for grants.

§ Lawrence Public Library: The Lawrence Public Library received approximately 93% of its operating budget from City property taxes. The Library is requesting $4,050,000, which is an increase of $300,000 from the 2016 budget. The additional funds are being requested to increase pay as well as increase library collections.

§ Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission: The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission receives support from the special recreation fund. They are requesting an increase of $2,320 over the 2016 budget.

§ eXplore Lawrence: eXplore Lawrence receives support through the guest tax fund. This year they are requesting an additional $110,000. Historically, they have received approximately 55% of guest tax funds and this request aligns with that proportion of the projected guest tax funds for 2017.

§ Douglas County Senior Services: Douglas County Senior Services receives support from the general fund; they are requesting level funding for 2017.

§ Destination Management Inc. (DMI): DMI receives support from the guest tax fund. They are requesting $30,000 for operational support; this is a decrease from 2016.

§ K-10 Connector (Johnson County): Johnson County receives support from the transit fund. They are requesting $327,800, which is an increase of $207,800 from the 2016 budget.

§ Douglas County Historical Society (Watkins Museum): The Watkins Museum receives support from the guest tax fund. They are requesting $40,000, an additional $10,000 from the 2016 budget. This increase is due to the City’s pledge of $100,000 for the Watkins Museum over the course of three-years.

§ Douglas County Special Olympics: Douglas County Special Olympics receives support from the special recreation fund. They are requesting $500, which is $250 more than the 2016 budget.

· Other Requests

o The following are additional requests received by the City for the 2017 budget.

§ Lawrence Alliance: Lawrence Alliance receives support from the special recreation fund. They are requesting the same amount as the 2016 budget.

§ Lawrence Children’s Choir: The Lawrence Children’s Choir is requesting $5,000 from the special recreation fund. In 2016, they applied for and were awarded transient guest tax (TGT) Grant Funds.

§ Ryan Gray Playground: Ryan Gray Playground is requesting $25,000 for the purchase of new, fully accessible, playground equipment.

§ Sister Cities Advisory Board: Sister Cities receives support from the guest tax fund. They are requesting the same amount as the 2016 budget.

§ Affordable Housing Advisory Board: As outlined in the attached memo, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board is recommending that for the 2017 budget, the City Commission determine a significant amount of funding and the sources of the funding to be placed in the affordable housing trust fund. The Board recommends they spend the remainder of this year developing an RFP, soliciting proposals, and making a recommendation to the City Commission on how to spend the 2017 budgeted funds.