Belleville City Council is giving consideration to providing funding to continue the Welcoming Streets Program in Downtown Belleville in 2024.
Hastings County recently refused to continue financing the program aimed at bridging the gap between downtown businesses and the vulnerable population.
The Belleville Downtown Improvement Area is seeking $140,000 to continue the program which would include two full-time staff.
No other funding has been secured at this time.
At Monday’s council meeting, staff are recommending a formal ‘funding agreement’ be formulated should council choose to approve an additional one-time funding for the program.
It would clearly set out the terms and conditions of the funding including eligible expenditures, required outcome and financial reporting, and service level requirements.
Staff also recommend that if the funding is approved, it come from the Tax Rate Stabilization reserve fund, and that city funding be repaid should the BDIA find alternative funding sources.
Council is being asked to receive the funding request.
