Last night, Athens-Clarke County commissioners heard from independent agencies making their pitches for the city’s financial support.
The three-hour meeting was the first of two days of pitches from community agencies who receive money from the county each fiscal year. Commissioners heard from Project Safe, Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission, and other local organizations on Wednesday night.
While not all of these organizations asked for increased funding, the Athens Regional Library requested an additional $231,000 for employee raises. Jane Russell, chair of the library’s Board of Trustees said that the library’s salaries are not market competitive.
She also requested an additional $62,000 to expand the library’s year-round security personnel.
Commissioners plan to hear from eight more agencies tonight, including the Athens Neighborhood Health Center, Athens Council on Aging, and Athens Downtown Development Authority.