MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - A new policy and related procedure for Mountain View County's Strings & Keys Music Education Fund has been approved.
The move came by way of motion at the recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting.
Under the new policy, only Mountain View County residents will be eligible to apply; previously, the area's urban residents were also eligible to apply.
The fund was started in 2015 to support area music students with their studies. It was funded through a $20,000 reserve created following the ending of the Strings and Keys Music Camp program in Bergen.
The reserve funds were depleted in 2024, prompting council to budget $4,000 in 2025 to continue the program.
The change required the development of a new policy and procedure, which were reviewed and approved by council during the Feb. 5 council meeting.
The new policy statement reads: “Mountain View Council will provide grants to Mountain View County residents to support the development of their musical talents and skills.”
The new purpose of the policy reads: “To encourage Mountain View County residents to further develop their musical talents and skills by ensuring that there is a legislated process to distribute funding to applicants.”
The principles section of the policy now reads: “Funding is dedicated to individuals who are current residents within Mountain View County will will include students who are currently away for post secondary education but continue to have heir primary residence within Mountain View County.
“Projects shall support music initiatives such as private music lessons, instrument rental and/or maintenance; summer music programs; post-secondary music education; and travel to auditions or competitions.”
The procedure also allows for support of the cost of musical production and/or recording.
