Last round of Garfield County discretionary requests exceed original budget

Garfield County commissioners fielded requests for discretionary grant funding for the final quarter of 2018 on Monday, as $31,700 was requested for seven different programs or organizations.

But, with only $20,000 left in the discretionary fund for 2018, the commissioners may have to pick and choose by next week.

The county could decide to fund all or some of the programs, but not at the full amount requested of them on Monday.

Discretionary grant funding will be announced at the Nov. 12 commissioners meeting.

Among those seeking funding on Monday, Jeanne Golay, with Colorado Mountain College Foundation, praised the commissioners for investing in the community as they have supported the scholarship for nontraditional students since 2012.

“It’s reassuring to know that Garfield County is investing in education,” she added.

She requested $2,500 to renew the nontraditional scholarship fund for the 2019-2020 academic year. The $2,500 will be used to support the scholarship for two students.

Yampah Mountain High School Principal Leigh McGown asked for $5,000 to support an experimental education program. According to the grant request submitted to the commissioners, the money would be used to support outdoor education, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

The county awarded $13,000 worth of grants for the third quarter of 2018.

azorn@citizentelegram.com