SIDNEY — Grant requests from Raise the Roof for the Arts and the Shelby County Historical Society were recommended for Sidney City Council’s approval by Sidney Lodging Tax Committee during its Monday meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to revisit two grant applications that were tabled at the October meeting on the 2018 annual budget because not enough information was provided for approval. October’s meeting was for considering, according to the provisions outlined in the Lodging Tax Distribution Policy, grant-eligible activity applications that were received for the 2018 annual budget.

On Monday, the committee recommended approving $25,000 for Raise the Roof for the Arts. The original request was for $30,000, but no explanation was provided about how the money will be used. Council member/committee chair Steve Wagner said the organization’s outdoor concerts costed about $5,000 per concert, and since only one additional concert was added for 2018’s concert series, the committee agreed to recommend approving $25,000.

The committee also recommended approving $2,500 for Shelby County Historical Society’s Tawawa Park 70th Anniversary celebration project after receiving detailed information about how the money will be used.

The committee also agreed to re-approve a $20,000 project that was approved as part of the 2017 budget for the re-design of the Interstate 75 quadrants. The city was unable to finalize a final contract and purchase order prior to Dec. 31, 2017, so it was necessary for re-approval.