Wellman

With the Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Cedar Rapids opening in less than a month, the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF) is bracing for changes.

For the past 20 years, the foundation has allocated 25% of its yearly revenue to municipal grants for cities throughout Washington County. With another casino opening about an hour away, the foundation expects its revenue to decline.

According to reports, the WCRF expects to lose about $1.3 million in funding.

The foundation has discussed ending the municipal grant program and moving those funds into competitive grants. However, the board agreed to continue municipal grants for 2027.

Funding for each city in the county

During its recent meeting, the board approved continuing the program at 25% of yearly revenue, with each city’s share based on updated ZIP code population figures. President Brandon Hamilton announced the allocations.

The following list compares each city’s share of municipal grant funding in 2026 and 2027:

• Washington: 2026 — 53.75%; 2027 — 37.32%
• Kalona: 2026 — 18.75%; 2027 — 23.88%
• Riverside: 2026 — 7.30%; 2027 — 15.33%
• Wellman: 2026 — 11%; 2027 — 10.76%
• Ainsworth: 2026 — 3%; 2027 — 4.64%
• Brighton: 2026 — 3.30%; 2027 — 4.39%
• Crawfordsville: 2026 — 2%; 2027 — 2.44%
• West Chester: 2026 — 0.90%; 2027 — 1.24%

  Public comments

Several community representatives spoke during public comments at last Wednesday’s meeting, emphasizing the importance of municipal grants and the projects and services they support.

Speakers included Wellman Public Library director Carrie Geno, Wellman mayor Ryan Miller, Crawfordsville mayor Roy Felts, Washington mayor Millie Youngquist, Riverside city administrator Dane Matthew, Kalona city administrator Ryan Schlabaugh, Kalona Chamber of Commerce director Tonia Poole, Brighton council member Cathy Rich and WEDGE director Melanie Brimson.

Before the board announced the 2027 allocations, ex officio member and Riverside council member Ryan Rogerson suggested approving the program for two or three years instead of one.

“As a person that is part of a city government within this county, would it be possible to do that on a two or three year basis instead of a one year basis?”

Hamilton responded that the motion covered only one year.

Vice president Zac Haworth said he was encouraged by the passion expressed during public comments.

“It's encouraging to see all the passion sitting in this room, and I hope that passion can be harnessed going forward to protect what we have. And we're very fortunate and very blessed to be even having these conversations with a lot of counties and areas that don't get to be as fortunate to have these conversations. So I hope this passion can continue into the future, if and when time comes to protect what we have."

Board member Todd Patterson said the proposal could provide predictability for cities while allowing the foundation to adjust to declining revenues.

“What I heard from the comments was predictability is an incredibly important thing, and I know that from my line of work, predictability is rare, but appreciated when you see it.”

He also addressed preserving the program as revenue decreases.

“I think I appreciate those comments, especially given the fact that we're about to see possible significant reductions in our ability to do this. So preserving the program … still doing the base function that these municipal grants are supposed to be providing some predictability, but also making it possible for us to flex as our revenues decrease.”

Surprise grants

The board also announced two surprise grants.

City Point Church in Washington received a $10,000 grant after the city of Washington denied its funding request.

The board also approved a $4,000 grant for Highland-Lone Tree girls wrestling uniforms after the team missed the application deadline.

20th anniversary

The WCRF will celebrate its 20th anniversary at its next meeting in November at the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.