Funding for local service, community development programs hangs in balanceCOMMERCE CITY – With calls to cut discretionary spending growing louder in Washington, D.C., this week’s trip to the nation’s capital by several Commerce City representatives is significant to the survival of many local programs and services.
The National League of Cities (NLC) Conference is a chance each year for Commerce City to grab the ear of their Congressional delegates, but this year’s meetings with U.S. Representatives Michael Bennet, Mark Udall, Ed Perlmutter, Diana DeGette and Cory Gardner might seem a little more urgent.
“A key piece of this trip includes the continued dialogue we have with our federal representatives to make them aware of the issues that are important to Commerce City,” said Mayor Pro Tem Tracey Snyder. “In addition to local programs and services, infrastructure priorities also need to be top of mind.”
Snyder will serve for a third consecutive year on the NLC’s Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Advocacy Steering Committee. “The privilege I have of serving on this committee is consistent with my continued desire to work on behalf of our residents,” added Snyder. I’m hopeful this work will bring public safety and crime prevention programs that benefit all segments of the community,” Snyder said.
City Councilor Dominick Moreno represents Ward 1 in the city’s core where many residents benefit from social service programs and also will serve this year on the NLC’s Human Development Steering Committee to help the organization protect funds for core social service programs that benefit senior citizens, veterans, at-risk youth and other segments of the community.
Among the local programs that could be at risk with federal cuts are those funded by Community Development Block Grants, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and Community Oriented Policing Services Grants. In recent years these grants have been used to renovate and improve the Derby Business District, hire four police officers and conduct an energy audit from which a city-wide Sustainability Plan was developed.
“It’s important that Commerce City is there to provide that personal perspective of what we’re facing. We need to stress to our representatives that we’re not just a line item on a budget,” Moreno said.
In addition to their meetings with the Washington delegation, the Commerce City council members making the trip will spend time with municipal representatives from around the country sharing information about local challenges and the best practices for meeting these challenges.
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