Mayor Andy Schor today sent an ordinance to the Lansing City Council recommending revisions to the City of Lansing’s Basic Human Services Ordinance (Chapter 240). Under Chapter 240 of the City of Lansing’s Code of Ordinances, 1.25% of General Fund dollars are to be used for basic human services. In recent weeks, concerns have been raised about the allocation of dollars and proper controls for the Human Relations and Community Services (HRCS) grant process, and this ordinance revision will address many of these concerns by updating the ordinance. 

The amended ordinance includes the addition of general purchasing policies, opens applications and grant information to the public, and increases the duties of the HRCS Advisory Board to include scoring of the submitted applications throughout the grant process. It also allows other departments doing basic human services to use these dollars, allows the City’s internal auditor to be included in the review and auditing of grantees, and ensures all necessary historical information and metrics used for evaluation of grant dollars are in the ordinance. 

“Assisting Lansing residents in need is an important focus of the City of Lansing, which is why we reserve 1.25% of our taxpayer dollars in the general fund for basic human services,” said Mayor Schor. “This updated ordinance will ensure an effective and fair process for allocation of these dollars with appropriate citizen input. It will not decrease access to fund services for those in need. I look forward to discussing this with City Council and updating this process as soon as possible.” 

The amended ordinance has been provided to the Lansing City Council. It has been listed on the February 24th City Council meeting agenda and is expected to be introduced and referred to committee for consideration.