Tim Quilty opposes any council cash being given to charity and this week voted against a $2000 sponsorship request from City2City administrators.

“I’m well and truly over politicians being generous with other people’s money,” Cr Quilty told Monday night’s council meeting.

“I also note that City2City raised $110,000 last year, which begs the question why can’t they keep $2000 out of their funds raised to keep in the kitty for next year.”

Cr Quilty was the only one of seven councillors to vote against the contribution towards the February 18 run-walk which benefits Albury Wodonga Health.

City2City organiser Michelle Hudson declined to comment directly on Cr Quilty’s query, but stressed the event’s charitable nature. 

“We’re 100 per cent volunteer run, no-one gets paid, so any contribution from Wodonga Council would help to offset the cost of the event which has all the funds go back into the community through Albury Wodonga Health,” Ms Hudson said.

The $2000 from the council will cover the hiring of barrier fencing for Junction Place and the run’s finish in High Street as well as venue hire for The Cube.

Ms Hudson said it was the first time in three years sponsorship had been sought from Wodonga Council, while no application for money had been made to Albury Council, which hosts the event’s starting point.

In a separate but related matter, Wodonga councillors on Monday night declined to make a decision on whether they should spend $1300 on ten tickets for Upper Murray Family Care’s charity ball.

They voted 5-2 to allow chief executive Patience Harrington to make a decision.

Cr Quilty and Ron Mildren opposed that move.

“Donating money that is ratepayers’ money is not within the charter of why we collect ratepayers’ money,” Cr Mildren said.

“We shouldn’t be making donations, we should be using ratepayers’ money...for community activities, community things that are more widespread.”