ARP grant creates conflict of interest
Councilman’s nonprofit receives $10,000 from city; qualifications for grants were loose
The City of Kokomo recently awarded grants of up to $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations, using funds from the American Recovery Plan (ARP). One of the recipients is a charity founded and operated by Kokomo Common Councilman Greg Davis, which raises questions of propriety.
Typically, public officials try not to accept benefits that aren’t part of the job description. Anything above and beyond pay and benefits has been scrutinized, and those officials are asked to disclose any potential conflicts of interest up front. In fact, it has been customary for the mayor of Kokomo to log any gifts received, just to avoid the appearance of malfeasance.
The Preserve Marriage Ministries retreat, located on the Crossroads Community Church campus.
However, Preserve Marriage Ministries applied for and received a $10,000 grant, despite the fact that Davis is the director of the charity. According to Mayor Tyler Moore, he was aware of the potential conflict of interest when he and his administration reviewed the grant application.
“I would think some would say there would be (a conflict),” said Moore. “Because the money was tied to programming and services, not a request for operational costs or for salaries, then we were comfortable with it.”
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