During a budget work session on Monday night, the Mitchell City Council tentatively agreed to allocate $623,000 in subsidies to various organizations. The subsidies approved are not formal, as the budget is still being put together. It is expected to be finalized in November.
Big Friend Little Friend and CASA were denied city funding. Mitchell Main Street and Beyond, which had requested $50,000, was approved for $35,000. The Mitchell Municipal Band was approved for its request for $11,000. $10,000 was approved for the Mitchell Exchange Club’s fireworks display. Mitchell Area Housing Incorporated was approved for its $75,000 request. Safe Place of Eastern South Dakota was approved for $20,000. Dakota Counseling was approved for $13,000, which is roughly half of its request. The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village was approved for $19,000, which is $2,000 less than requested. Dakota Heartland Regional Economic Development was approved for its $25,000 request, while $167,000 was approved for the Mitchell Area Development Corporation. Finally, the Mitchell Convention and Visitors Bureau was approved for $250,000, which is $25,000 less than was requested.
$373,000 of the subsidies will come from the city’s general fund, while $250,000 will come from the entertainment tax fund.