Oxford City Council postpones decision on funding for Thread Up Oxford
"If we’re going to increase it, I want to be able to point to a reason why we are increasing it that is not tied to one organization's push for us to increase it."
The Oxford City Council reviewed its 2027 budget and discussed additional funding for community assistance programs during a meeting on Oct. 6, allocating $161,000 in funding through the Community Assistance Program to 11 nonprofit organizations in Oxford.
Thread Up Oxford received $11,000 of the $86,593 requested.
Shana Rosenberg, founder of Thread Up, and other community members spoke to city council, requesting more funding for the program.
The request prompted an extended discussion among council members about the organization's financial needs, the future of the assistance program and the importance of maintaining a consistent funding process.
The issue was brought to the budget meeting where Councilor Bill Snavely proposed treating the additional funding as a one-year project, rather than an ongoing commitment.
Snavely mentioned the need for more funding is due to Thread Up's recent reorganization so it would not require a permanent increase in their portion of the budget.
Vice Mayor Alex French expressed concern about granting this request. She said other nonprofits could also have similar significant financial needs, so they should have the same opportunity to request additional funding.
“If we are to increase it, I would prefer to think about it, not in this budget, but in the next budget,” French said. “If we’re going to increase it, I want to be able to point to a reason why we are increasing it that is not tied to one organization's push for us to increase it.”
Councilor Jim Vinch also expressed concern about setting a precedent for organizations to receive additional funding by returning to council after the initial funds were granted.
He suggested raising the total amount of community assistance grants to provide additional support to Thread Up and so that other organizations can benefit.
“I would be in favor of working with staff to see if we can get it to at least $200,000,” Vinch said. “But for the future, I would put limits on that.”
Councilor Amber Franklin raised concerns about the program's long-term viability and the administrative challenges of distributing funding fairly. She noted that most communities do not have this type of fund and it is important to uphold an honest process.
“I found myself leaving the last meeting wondering, ‘What is the viability of this program?’ If we're not willing to say this is what it is this year, we can increase the amount, and it will result in more requests from more organizations,” Franklin said. “At some point we'll probably get to a similar position now.”
Council members discussed whether an increase in funding would reopen the application process for organizations in order to give them a chance to make additional requests.
City Manager Doug Elliot added considerations for raising the budget. He noted that the city's general fund had increased 2.8% from last year. He said Oxford's assistance community fund was unusual compared to other communities and questioned whether residents would be supportive of their taxes going towards these funds.
Elliot said the council needed to consider whether additional funding would address long-term needs or postpone financial challenges into next year.
Elliot said he will work with Mayor Mike Smith and French to develop a proposal for council to consider at the next meeting.
No final decision was made on increasing funds for Thread Up.
The Oxford City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Oct.20 at the Oxford Courthouse, 118 W. High St.
