The Cole County Commission has approved an agreement with River City Habitat for Humanity that will allow the organization to build its 100th home in the 1400 block of East High Street in Jefferson City.
Habitat officials said a structure currently on the site will be torn down.
The hope is to start work in August on a 100-day build. Habitat would sell the house around Thanksgiving.
Before closing, the partner family for this build will earn 350-450 hours of sweat equity as a down payment on the home. They will pay a 25-year, no-interest mortgage to River City Habitat for Humanity, as well as homeowners' taxes and insurance annually. Their house payments will help build future Habitat homes in Cole County.
The approval of the agreement brought up the issue of the County Commission providing funds to nonprofit agencies.
The commission voted 2-1 in favor of giving the money. Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman and Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher voted "yes," and Western District Commissioner Kris Scheperle voted "no."
Last year, Scheperle voted against giving money to many agencies, including River City Habitat for Humanity, saying while all of those asking for funds were good organizations, he didn't think it was government's role to use tax dollars to fund these groups.
"Is this the last year we are going to do this?" Scheperle asked during Tuesday's meeting.
Bushman answered the Habitat contract's wording implied this may be the last year.
"I agree there are some I don't feel OK about giving to, but I think this is a benefit to the community," Hoelscher said.
The commission gave River City Habitat for Humanity $10,000 last year.
The commission has approved funds for agencies through contracts since it cannot provide money through donations. They have done this for several years, citing state law that allows the practice.
As explained under Missouri Revised Statutes - Chapter 205.580.1, county health and welfare programs - "Poor persons shall be relieved, maintained and supported by the county of which they are inhabitants." This law dates back to 1909.
Any agency may ask to make a presentation to the three-member commission, which then reviews the contracts during budget time. With some exceptions, most agreements do not require additional or specific services beyond what the agency routinely provides.
Commissioners gave no indication as to how they will vote when other agreements come up for a vote later this year.