By Brandi Watters
August 22, 2008 09:22 pm
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LAPEL — Gambling at Hoosier Park may be controversial, but dollars slipped into slot machines could translate into job training and art programs for kids.
The Lapel Town Council recently decided to donate a chunk of its monthly gambling revenue toward area school programs after hearing a presentation by the South Madison Community Foundation.
Brian Gill of SMCF explained to council members on Thursday that revenues earmarked for local governments could be used to fund extracurricular school programs rather than being dumped into the general fund for typical city business, especially since the money was not anticipated in the budget.
Three percent of casino revenues from Hoosier Park were dedicated for local towns under House Bill 1835, Gill said.
Up to $8 million a year has been earmarked for Madison County.
Lapel clerk-treasurer Tom Tudor said the town received its first check totaling $6,638 in July and that the town had not figured the money into the 2008 budget.
“This is kind of found money,” Gill said.
Gill proposed that the town set aside 25 percent of each monthly payment and invest the money with the foundation.
For every $1 allocated by the city, Gill said, SMCF will add $2 with a cap of $5,000 per year. The funds, he said, would create an endowed fund to be used at the council’s discretion.
Gill said funds could be used specifically for programs supporting arts, music and job training in local schools. “Where’s the shop class? That’s going to be a really important skill.”
“We’ve got free money,” Gill said. “Why can’t we take that free money and put it for the future of our schools. It’s going to be a monthly check.”
“It’s something to look at,” said board president Gary Shuck, “even if we took $1,000 a month away from that.”
Councilman Kyle Bloom proposed that the board approve a temporary agreement with the foundation in case revenues do not continue as planned.
The board unanimously voted to put 25 percent of each month’s revenue toward the endowed fund until January 2009, when the topic would be revisited.
Lisa Floyd, president of SMCF, said Lapel was the first South Madison community approached with the idea but would likely not be the last. “Our hope would be to work with each community in the South Madison area. We have four townships that the South Madison Community Foundation represents - Adams, Green, Stony Creek, Fall Creek.”
“I think the significance is that it stays in the community. We as a community foundation are best positioned to help determine what the needs of the community are. I think when you then drill it down to staying within the educational system, the strength of the community is the strength of the educational system.”
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Lapel school program fund
Lapel’s town council is considering donating its portion of revenues from Hoosier Park gambling to fund school programs.
— Intended for county each year: up to $8 million
— Lapel’s first monthly check: $6,638
— Portion of revenues proposed to go to South Madison Community Foundation fund: 25 percent
— How SMCF would match that money: 2 to 1, up to $5,000 a year
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