There are 2 separate pots of money involved here. Save Our Stairs, Inc. raises all the money through the Great Stair Climb and other events, and it all goes into their Treasury. SOS then "donates" money to the City of Bisbee which we put in a special fund called the Save Our Stairs Fund. At no time does the City get it all. They donated $5,000 to the City this year and $15,000 last year. We are restricted to use the money the City receives to fixing stairs and surrounding infrastructure, in consultation with the SOS board. So, the city is highly restricted in its use of the funds.
The funds SOS has donated to other groups has come directly from their treasury, and the CIty has no control over that. Since this has caused a difference of interpretation in the contract between SOS and the City, the contract has been terminated and we are discussing a new agreement with them right now that will put less burden on the City.
This is a great event that I would hate to lose, but I suppose it's up to the community to decide how the money raised should be spent. Visiting SOS Board Members with your input would be a way to start the dialogue.
Regards,
Steve Pauken