This is the thinking behind the hiring of Randall Funding and Development to provide grant-writing and research services for the city. The company assists local governments and school districts in locating and securing different types of funding. The company has worked with the cities of Hartford, Conn., and Fort Myers, Fla. It has also worked with the Sacramento City Unified School District.

The staff members at Randall Funding and Development started working for the city this month. They have already met with several city staff members for background information and also had lunch with the city manager.

A grant-writing company did work for the city before but did not have a proactive approach. "We don't know what opportunities are there, so a proactive company can really help us in getting some grant money," said Mayor Ann Waltonsmith.

The city has signed a two-year contract with a guarantee from the company that it will raise at least $500,000 in those years. If it cannot raise the money during the stipulated period, it will continue to work for free until the money is raised. The city reserves the right to cancel the agreement if it is not happy during the first six months of operation. The city will be paying the company $3,000 a month.

Saratoga has faced a funding crisis over the last few years, and city council members felt that contracting with a grant-writing company might help the city financially.

Cary Bloomquist, administrative analyst, presented a report to the city council on April 7 this year and informed the council that the company had been selected to provide grant-writing and research services for the city.

"They will develop a strategic plan, and when opportunities are identified, contact the appropriate department and start working for them. A grant writer will be assigned to the department at that point," said Bloomquist. "The city council has to approve the application."

The council has authorized nonprofits in the city to take advantage of the company. They can enlist the help of company staff so that they can aim for a particular grant. The fire department and Sheriff's Department can approach the grant company, too.

"There are dollars out there, and we need to attract them," said Dave Anderson, city manager.

The company that worked in Saratoga before did not work on a continuous basis and would only get a percentage of the grant it procured for the city.

Over the coming weeks, staff from the company will be meeting with more city staff to understand the city better.