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Historical November–December 2014 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Since 1966, the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council has served the neighborhood.
The Council has received support from the 3 neighborhood churches and Washington University.
It has also been the recipient of federal Community Development Block Grant funds dispersed by the city’s Community Development Agency.
In addition, neighbors have assisted the Council through the Friends’ Campaign and the Homecoming.
These funding mechanisms in recent years have provided for 2 staff members who have staffed many different events and spearheaded training and services. Due to budget cutting at the federal level, the CDA allocations have declined in recent years.
Now agencies that have received this funding must compete in certain established categories.
The money can no longer be used for general service delivery.
This year the Council applied for funding in 3 categories but was successful only in receiving $16,000 for services to senior citizens.
This leaves a budget shortfall of $34,000.
In the immediate future, cuts will have to be agreed upon and other methods to raise money decided upon. One strategy the SDCC is considering is creation of a special taxing district for the neighborhood. Every property owner would pay $.85 per $100 in assessed valuation. Parkview would not be included and Skinker DeBaliviere voters would have to approve this tax at an election. At the SDCC Board Meeting in September, Council President Alice Stanley stated that, based on feedback, now would not be a good time to put such a tax on the ballot. More thought would have to be given about how to use the money the tax would raise and how much could go toward the general operations of the council. Stanley said that neighbors would have to ask what the neighborhood would look like without the council.
A committee will work on community engagement regarding the establishment of a special taxing district and also how to raise funds from other sources. August 2016 is a likely date for a vote on the district if neighborhood outreach is positive.
In the meantime, some changes should be expected to cope with the initial shortfall.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2014.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2014_11.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
