$2,500 worth of Community Development funding in Boonville Village Budget dispersed to three separate organizations

BOONVILLE- Three separate organizations are all aimed to receive a chunk of Community Development funding from the village.

By the end of Tuesday’s board meeting, a motion was reportedly brought up that resulted in a vote to give $1,000 of this funding to the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce, while another $1,000 went to the Black River Valley Business and Community Alliance and the remaining $500 was approved for the Boonville Environmental Council.

Officials have confirmed that this funding has traditionally been set aside in the village budget as a donation to the Boonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Over the winter, a whirlwind erupted between the chamber, some of its members and some public citizens over their finances.

To clarify, current Mayor Judith Dellerba says the village has always awarded the Chamber its donation based on reviewing their annual financials, including this year’s paperwork.

However, with new organizations blossoming and higher demand for those community development funds, the village board chose this time around to spread the funds out, the Mayor said.

The Town of Boonville also traditionally has supplied the Chamber with a donation, but per the meeting minutes as of June 12, no funds will be granted to the Chamber until there is proof their financial records are approved by the board.

That motion was put forth by Guy Case, Town Board Member and Deputy Supervisor, and followed an original motion by Supervisor Dave Stocklosa that the board had reviewed the Chamber’s bank statements and should award them $2,500.

Stocklosa’s motion received no second by the board, while Case’s did and was approved 4-1.

During the Chamber’s annual meeting this spring, which was originally scheduled for March and was postponed to May, officials made clear that members and the public are more than welcome to make an appointment and review any available financial information and other records.

If requested documents contain sensitive information, visitors will be required to sign some paperwork to ensure such details are not shared or dispersed at all whatsoever.

We do have confirmation that WHIBNY forwarded a request to the village to receive the community development funds to go towards a new Sunday concert series in the village square.

Image via BRVBCA.