During its annual report to the City Council on March 19, the Human Relations Board asked for Council Contingency funding for $1,360 from the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget for public relations materials for its work.  The Council expressed interest in making a 1-time contribution of Council Contingency Funds to Human Relations Board for its work, which is supposed to be to support mutual understanding and respect among all Billings residents; to promote educational programs to improve human relations in the community; to study complaints or problems that result in tensions or discrimination in the community; to see that no person is deprived of equal provision of services in the City because of discrimination or prejudice; and to make recommendations to the City Council on matters brought before the Board.

In the time since that report, the Human Relations Board has received a $500 donation toward this project.  The attached resolution would provide a contribution of up to $1,000 from the Council Contingency to the Human Relations Board. 

Allocation of Council Contingency monies requires approval of a resolution, which is attached.

The City Council may:

• Approve the resolution and authorize the expenditure of up to $1,000 from Council Contingency for the Human Relations Board's public relations activities.  This may result in future requests from other Council Boards and Commissions.
• Request that the Human Relations Board raise more donations to offset its expenses;
• Deny the request.

The Council Contingency Fund has begun each year with $65,000 for the past several years.  The fund balance as of May 1 was $56,643.

Approve the Council Contingency Fund allocation of $1,000 on a 1-time basis from the FY  '12 budget.