City of Norfolk to vote on $150K donation to NFAT Tuesday

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Tuesday will see the City of Norfolk decide whether or not to donate $150,000 in ARPA funds and council priority dollars to North Fork Area Transit.
According to its agenda, the Norfolk City Council will vote to give NFAT the money to help the non-profit reach $500,000 before the end of the month.
If they reach this amount by Feb. 28, the Johnny Carson Foundation would award the non-profit a matching grant worth $500,000.
However, it won't be as simple as NFAT getting the money, as three conditions would need to be met.
The agenda states the money would not be given unless NFAT raises enough money so the City’s match is the final amount needed.
In other words, NFAT must reach $350,000 before the city would give them the money. Other conditions include requiring a Norfolk City Council member to be appointed to NFAT's volunteer board, and NFAT would immediately terminate the Public Transportation Funding Agreement with the City.
NFAT claims to have reached $203,000 as of Feb. 16; if the city does approve, the non-profit would need to fundraise $147,000 by the end of the month to receive the donation.
NFAT has had its operations closed since Jan. 6, following embezzlement allegations towards its ex-general manager in December of 2022.