The commission debated a proposed resolution to place a $200,000 cap into the county budget for selected nonprofit grants, with vetting to be conducted by a committee before award. Sponsor Commissioner Hartman described the proposal as a targeted, vetted approach to support organizations that provide services saving county resources in schools, courts and law enforcement.

Commissioners discussed whether volunteer fire departments and other emergency-response entities should be included or excluded and whether the administrative committee or budget committee should handle applications. Commissioner Cross asked that the resolution remove the word "volunteer" so city fire departments and paid departments could be eligible; Hartman agreed to strike that word.

Several commissioners pressed for clarity about when applications would be solicited. Commissioner Harvey and others argued the county should only send application notices after the budget is finalized and the $200,000 is in the budget; others wanted earlier notice. Commissioner Pierce asked to earmark $35,000 for a particular department; Hartman declined, saying the resolution only set a cap and the administrative committee would later review applications and bring recommendations to the budget committee and full commission.

A call for the question ended debate. The roll-call vote on the resolution failed: 10 in favor, 11 opposed, with 2 absent. Commissioner Harvey framed a yes vote as supporting continuation of nonprofit funding; supporters countered the resolution was a scaled, vetted approach and reduced prior allocations.

Ending: With the resolution defeated, the commission did not change the county's nonprofit funding practice that night; the item will not proceed based on this vote.