Heritage and arts were winners in the community funding round with social services and perceived central government services being declined.
Central Otago District Arts Trust was granted $49,388 to be given in 2025-26 and $51,312 the following year.
Similarly, Central Otago Heritage Trust would receive $45,320 in the next year and $46,680 in 2026-27.
However, Momentum Trust, which assists people on community probation and those coming out of the prison system with financial literacy and job hunting, was declined, along with a request from Catholic Social Services.
Council community lead Rebecca Williams said Momentum Trust was Auckland-based not from the local community, even though they worked in other areas.
Councillor Neil Gillespie asked why the ratepayers should fund the service and Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley agreed suggesting the probation service should be filling that need.
Similarly, while Catholic Social Services did great work there needed to be caution around funding social services as the need was so great, Mrs Alley said.
The councillors agreed to distribute $113,240 from a pool of $151,000 with another funding round opening early next year.
Other groups to receive funding were:
• huddl — $10,000;
• Life Education Trust — $4000;
• Central Otago Health Inc — $7600.
