La Grange Chamber Seeks City Financial Support
The La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce petitioned the La Grange City Council for financial assistance at the meeting last Monday, Aug. 8. The Chamber submitted financial documents to the City showing that the organization operated at a loss for the past two years and has less than three months of expenses in its fund balance. La Grange Chamber Chairwoman Deokie Ramjohn, in a letter to the Council, said her organization benefits the City by attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, augmenting tourism initiatives of the La Grange Main Street Program, supporting the City’s economic development initiatives and much more.
“We believe that the La Grange Area Chamber of Commerce can work synergistically with the City and its various departments and programs to achieve the economic stability, growth and preservation of the character of the City of La Grange,” Ramjohn said in her letter. The Chamber requested $50,000 from the City for operational support. Jamie Fabre, operations director of the La Grange Chamber, said the COVID- 19 pandemic of the past two years hampered the organization’s fundraising activities.
“We’ve worked really hard to cut corners,” Fabre said at the meeting. Fabre said some cities provide their local chambers of commerce with Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funding for their work to promote tourism. State law requires HOT funds to be used almost exclusively for tourism-related activities. The City of La Grange, however, conducts its own tourism activities through city programs such as Main Street.
City Manager Shawn Raborn advised the Council to forward the request to the La Grange Economic Development Corporation (EDC). “There have been investments in the Chamber of the years, and some those funds were funding operations but they weren’t setting you up for success going forward,” Raborn said. “I think the goal here would be that if there is an investment made, it’s made for the long term so we’re not subsidizing you all the time.”
“I’m in agreement that we continue to work toward the end goal but work with more parties at the table: The City, the EDC and the La Grange Chamber,” said Councilman Quenten Gonzalez. Council voted unanimously to present the request to the La Grange EDC.
In other business at last Monday’s meeting, Council allocated $28,000 in next year’s budget to five social service agencies that operate in La Grange. The funding amounts were approved as
follows:
• Capital Area Rural Transportation (CARTS) - $6,000,
• Family Crisis Center $5,500,
• Combined Community Action (CCA) - $7,000,
• Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) - $4,500, and
• The Children’s Advocacy Center - $5,000. The Council approved the amounts each organization requested with the exception of one. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) requested $18,000 to help fund a fullservice satellite facility in La Grange. The CAC provides services to child abuse victims in Bastrop, Lee and Fayette Counties. Raborn recommended funding CAC at last year’s level of $5,000 due to economic uncertainties in next year’s budget. He said the City could consider assisting CAC with their facility expansion separate from the City’s usual annual contribution.
All five of the organizations appeared at City Council meetings over the past six months to inform Council about the services they provide. CARTS provides bus rides for residents who lack transportation. The Family Crisis Center provides temporary housing and services to victims of family violence. CCA provides a variety of services for the elderly and economically disadvantages. They’re most known for the Meals on Wheels program. CASA provides special advocates for children in the family court system.
“After the presentations we’ve heard, I think it would behoove us to look at all of them to see if we need to increase funding,” said Councilwoman Kathy Weishuhn. “The services we heard about, a lot of them we were not aware of. I think they’re well-deserving of the support.”
Also at last Monday’s meeting, Council approved a request from the La Grange Volunteer Fire Department to construct a 2,040 sq. ft. metal building on City property behind the fire station. The building will be used to house the department’s rescue equipment, boats and utility task vehicle (UTV). Fire Chief Frank Menefee said the building would measure 60 feet by 34 feet with four bays, overhead doors and a walkthrough door on each side. He said the fire department will pay for the building using funds it receives from Fayette County. The cost is estimated at $30 per sq. ft.
Council unanimously approved the request.