The DeKalb City Council passed a resolution last night which could have controversial consequences regarding future requests for public funding by human service businesses.

Under the advice of DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow, representatives of DeKalb County Partnership (DCP), a drug and alcohol prevention program, spoke in front of the council and received a mixed reception.

DCP is asking the council to allocate up to $3,000 of public funding for the program.

“I advised DCP to have a representative speak to the council because of the fact that the FY 93 budget had already been formulated and passed earlier,” said DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow.

Before the motion could be passed, several council members expressed their feelings concerning the disbursement of city funds to DCP.

“I would first like to see financial records from DCP, including audits, allocation breakdowns and specific line-by-line expenditure predictions,” said 6th Ward Alderman James Pennington.

Other council members relayed different feelings about the possible funding to DCP.

“I would like the council to be supplied with records showing where the funding would go, but we don’t need the blood type and the like,” said 5th Ward Alderman Bessie Chronopoulos.

After a lengthy debate on DCP funding, the council passed the resolution, directing city officials to investigate possibilities of DCP funding and where it would come from.

Though he abstained from the vote, citing a conflict of interest, 7th Ward Alderman Jordan Kagan expressed disbelief.

“A word that comes to mind when I think of funding programs like this from city funds is accountability. Taxpayers should have the right to question how their money is spent,” he said.

Another council member took exception to Kagan’s remarks.

“In my 15 years on this council I have never had another member question its honesty. I resent the remarks,” said 4th Ward Alderman Rita Tewksbury.