Members of Bethel’s city government are meeting on Thursday night to discuss giving money to local community groups. They’re asking the public to weigh in on where that money should go.
The Community Action Grant Technical Review Board is getting ready to distribute money that the city made through increasing the tax on alcohol. "The intent was to put that increased tax money towards community efforts," said Leif Albertson, a City Council member who sits on the review board.
Local non-profits would need to apply to receive some of that alcohol tax revenue, he said, but the review board is trying to decide how to prioritize those grant applications. They’re hoping that Bethel residents will come to the meeting tonight and share their opinions on how the money should be allocated.
"I think everyone’s just interested in using that money in a way that benefits the public and that people feel good about," said Albertson. "Obviously alcohol’s caused some issues in our community. This is a way to use at least a fraction of that money in ways that would improve our community, especially in ways that might counteract some of the effects of alcohol."
The special meeting begins tonight at 7 p.m.