Fewer people are now eligible for the City of Union’s Community Change program.

As a result of a 4-2 vote at Tuesday’s Union City Council meeting, only those who choose to participate in the Community Change program — by making monthly donations of less than $1 — will be eligible to receive financial assistance from the program.

The two council members who opposed the motion were Andy Bailey and Ricky Todd Harris. Both stated they believe people should be eligible for assistance, whether they participate or not.

“Somebody who is struggling and really needs it might not participate,” Bailey said.

“There are elderly people who can’t afford their medicine, and that extra $1 might buy someone’s meal,” Harris added. “I just cannot see turning somebody down who needs the help.”

The Community Change program—an idea of city council in 1993—was created to generate funds to assist in providing food and shelter to Union’s needy. When the program began, every city resident’s power bill was rounded to the next dollar amount and the extra change was put into the Community Change fund. For example, a bill of $99.95 would be rounded to an even $100, with the extra five cents donated to Community Change. When the program began, donations were automatically deducted from city power bills and those who did not wish to participate were required to submit a form saying so.

A unanimous decision was also made for the Community Change program to provide summer cooling assistance for the 2011 fiscal year. The cooling assistance will be in addition to winter heating assistance. Those in need will be able to receive up to $100 once in the winter and once in the summer.

NEW COMMITTEE

Union Public Safety Department Chief Sam White suggested to the council a committee be formed to coordinate the purchase of a fire truck and to make long-range plans. White stated one current truck is 25 years old; one is 18; and two are 15. White suggested the committee be made up of himself, Fire Commander Larry Robinson, City Finance Director Walker Gallman, City Maintenance Director Mike Petrie and two city council members. Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Henderson and Robert Garner were nominated, and the committee was approved with a unanimous council vote.

FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION

ORDINANCE

The council also approved the second reading of a flood damage prevention ordinance, which will help promote public health, safety and general welfare, as well as minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions. The ordinance must be adopted by the city council before the city can submit an application to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The NFIP is made up of three components—flood insurance, floodplain management and flood hazard mapping—and is managed by The Flood Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), which is a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

RETIREMENT AWARD

White presented a retirement award to David Brewington after 20 years of service to the City of Union. Brewington—whose family was in attendance—has served as both a police officer and a firefighter.