Donors plan to raise money to pay settlement
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KSWT, FOX 9) - After more than a year of going back and forth, The City of Yuma and the Salvation Army have reached a settlement.
This after the Salvation Army dropped it's affiliation with the Boys and Girl's Club after the city handed them the program in 2003.
In 2014, donors stepped in to help fund renovations on a new building.
Tuesday night’s settlement means the City of Yuma will be paying the Salvation Army back up to $638,909
Now some donors, including Danny Bryant, are stepping up to the plate to try and raise the money to foot that bill.
The settlement comes with two payback options.
If the City of Yuma pays the Salvation Army back within 18 months it will only have to pay about $550,000. If it doesn't they will have to continue to pay an amount up to $686,909 over a 20 year period.
The money going back to the Salvation Army is for the additional money they claimed they spent out of their pocket to account for the improvements to the building they were given custody of in 2003, according to the settlement.
Bryant was very outspoken when the news broke in October 2018, even leaving the Salvation Army's advisory board as a result.
“The donors that I’ve talked to feel that is a fair and just way to resolve a terribly bad issue. So I don’t think that any of us feel like we’ve one and that’s probably a sign of a good settlement,” said Bryant.
He explained his appreciation to the City of Yuma for honoring donor intent.
“As part of our gratitude for the city, we have said that we will be involved and will be trying to raise money to help retire that debt," said Bryant.
Mayor Nicholls made it clear that the goals is to not have an interruption in services for those who utilize the current program.
The Salvation Army is glad the situation is being resolved.
“We’re glad to have this matter behind us. We look forward to continue serving boys and girls, and all of the people of Yuma to the best of our ability in the future,” said Salvation Army Capt. Jeff Breazeale.
