Milan Trustees Hear Nonprofit Updates
MILAN, N.M. – “Our [Gross Receipts Tax] is continually climbing,” is what Candice Williams, Village of Milan Finance Director, informed the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on October 20. The good news comes as trustees had to debate which nonprofit entities, they wanted to fund for the last three months, this discussion included a consensus among trustees about how exactly the village will be funding these nonprofits which is a departure from the way the village previously handled payments to nonprofits.
In years past, the village would decide how much money to pay a nonprofit and then cut them a check for the whole amount, with little to no oversight of how the money was being spent. As part of a county-wide effort, spearheaded by the Cibola County government; Milan and its sister city Grants are beginning a concerted effort to ensure the taxpayer dollars are being spent properly. Several months ago, trustees heard from several local entities that were requesting funding from the village. Trustees agreed to work with five different organizations, with the caveat that these entities would provide accurate paperwork, receipts, and proof of their work to receive the funding. At the October meeting, the trustees agreed that it will only cover actual expenses that were incurred by these entities while benefitting Milan. This is a departure from the past, and is being done to ensure that taxpayer dollars are handled responsibly.
First on the list of entities to be funded was the Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce. The village had agreed to open $15,000 for the Continued from A1
chamber, Village Manager Linda Cooke said that the chamber was able to show its work that benefited the village, she specifically mentioned tented placards which can be found around Cibola that promote the swimming pool – the only public swimming facility in the county. The trustees spoke in support of the chamber’s work. Cooke explained that the chamber had a little over $300 in billed expenses, and asked the trustees to determine whether to give the full $15,000, or just what they are billed for. Ultimately, the trustees agreed to only pay what they’re billed for.
The Northwestern New Mexico Council of Governments was approved for $13,800. Cooke said that COG bills Milan annually for the services they provide, which the village takes advantage of often because those services include assistance in the New Mexico State Legislature to bring money to Milan. Trustees agreed to pay the annual fee.
Recycle Cibola did not submit any documentation to the village for this round of funding. Cooke told trustees, “No directions is necessary at this time.” No money was given to Recycle Cibola this round.
Rockin’ 66 Express was approved for $7,000 quarterly. The trustees agreed that public transportation is an invaluable service, and the entity had all of its reports properly filed and in on time. They agreed to fund the transit service this round.
Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation was next up on the chopping block. CCEDF did get their reports in, but they were submitted after the deadline. “All paperwork should be submitted on time,” Mayor Felix Gonzales said, after hearing from Manager Cooke that CCEDF was billing Milan for payroll benefits and operating costs. Cooke said that copies of advertisements benefitting Milan, receipts, and proof of work were missing from the report. Cooke said that CCEDF gave money to Grants Main-Street “without justification” and had several items over budget. During this discussion, CCEDF Director Eileen Yarborough rose her hand to speak but was not called on. Ultimately, the village agreed to pay actual expenses to CCEDF.
Lava Soil and Water Conservation District is on the state’s “At-Risk” list, according to Manager Cooke, who said that the group is ineligible for funding. The Village of Milan, City of Grants, and Cibola County governments are requesting a large amount of paperwork and proper reporting to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent correctly. All three entities require the exact same reporting, so one report can go to all three entities instead of a different report for each government. This ensures continuity in reporting, and it helps to make sure each government receives the same report. To help nonprofit entities understand how to properly file these reports, the Cibola County government held a training open to all entities that taught them how to file their reports. Not every entity took advantage of this training.