DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne City Council at a special called meeting Tuesday unanimously voted to support the Boys and Girls Club of Daphne by contributing $90,527 to cover the program’s operating costs for six months.

Starke Irvine, representing the club, said the organization currently serves 60 children, but he expects the number to rise in the summer.

“Those numbers are up to 61, and five more are on the way,” he said. “By the end of the year, there will be 100.”

In addition, 128 children have registered for the club's summer program; that includes field trips as well as physical and learning activities.

Council President John Lake noted that the program costs $1,371 per child per year.

A club spokesperson explained that the figure covers the program, memberships and transportation fees.

Lake suggested the city consider alternatives such as using the Daphne Recreation Department.

“Maybe the rec department can develop its own program,” he said.

The Boys and Girls Club until recently had received most of its funding from the federal government, but cutbacks have forced the organization to look for financial help.

This won’t be the first time the city has supported the Boys and Girls Club.

“There is a trust set up,” Mayor Fred Small said. “The trust was funding a large portion when the economy was good and the banks were good.” The $1 million trust—a donation of 40 acres that front the Lake Front Golf Course—was created to be used by Daphne residents. The property has since been sold for almost $4 million, according to Irvine.

Also, “the building’s received maintenance and we’ve paid the power bill,” city clerk David Cohen said.