Area agencies seek funding from Vienna City Council
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VIENNA -- Vienna City Council held a special meeting Thursday to hear presentations from outside agencies seeking funding assistance from the city of Vienna.
The agencies were scheduled to include the Chamber of Commerce of The Mid-Ohio Valley, Kids' First Program at Family Crisis Intervention Center, Wood County Senior Citizens, Humane Society of Parkersburg, North Star Child Advocacy Center, Mid-Ohio Valley Fellowship Home, the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, Latrobe Street Mission, Friends of Vienna, The ARC of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Artsbridge, Vienna Library and Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council WWW Interstate Planning Commission.
Representatives gave presentations on the various programs and services provided by the various agencies.
Some of the agencies were seeking the same amounts for 2025-2026 that they received in 2024-2025. Those included: Family Crisis Intervention Center ($3,500); Senior Citizens ($4,300); Humane Society ($31,132); Latrobe Street Mission ($2,500); ARC ($1,000); and Artsbridge ($2,000).
Other agencies were seeking an increase over the previous year's funding, including: the Chamber of Commerce ($3,000 to $5,000); the Fellowship Home ($3,500 to $5,000) and the MOVHD ($7,000 to $18,641). Some agencies were seeking a change in funding that was still to be determined, including North Star (currently receiving $15,000); and Friends of Vienna (currently receiving $50,000).
During Thursday's presentation, North Star Executive Director Greg Collins told council he appreciates the city of Vienna adding North Star to the city's budget in 2024, the first to do so but he hopes not the last. He would like to receive at least the same amount as last year, $15,000, but said the agency would appreciate receiving more, if possible.
MOVHD Finance Director Travis White said costs overall have continued to go up and the health department is seeking more financial support from its supporters. Based on a request by the department's board, administrators are seeking to request $1.65 per capita across the board from all supporters based on population, which is the basis of the new request, he said.
The Friends of Vienna is requesting $50,000 for the new year to help with the Vienna Freedom Festival 2025 and an additional $15,000 to support the Glow on the O, an illuminated hot air balloon event which debuted in 2024 to positive responses.
The Vienna Library has mandatory funding calculated from assessed property values, while the Regional Council and WWW have mandated funding, which would rise from $6,285 to $7989 for the Regional Council and decrease from $3,696 to $3,582 for WWW.
The next regular Vienna City Council will be Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com