What’s the best way to disperse over $6,000?

Specifically, $6,819 left over from the defunct Ripon Police Athletic League.

Try assisting those in need.

The Ripon City Council on Tuesday approved the forms for scholarships for individuals or non-profit groups in need of financial assistance to take part in the City of Ripon’s Parks and Recreation programs.

“Half of the funds were to go to scholarships for individual kids signing up for recreation programs and the other half would be for local organizations and for individual scholarship applications for Ripon recreation programs for all Ripon residents,” said Kye Stevens, who is the Recreation director.

He added: “This will allow staff to award the funds to assist kids and local non-profit organizations.”

 In 2009, the program was slashed from the City budget as part of the fiscal casualty from the recession. At the time, PAL had $8,800 in the account. But those funds have shrunk down over the past five years due to taxes and non-profit fees.

Several months ago, Mayor Leo Zuber proposed transferring the leftover PAL money to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, in particular, to help youngsters enrolled in recreation programs in need of financial assistance as well as the community non-profit organizations.

Council did just that In December, moving forward with the plans.

A committee composed of Stevens, Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde, and an elected leader to review the applications.

Available funds for each application will be limited to $500.

Stevens estimated that the money could possible stretch to a period of one to three years, depending on the number of applicants.

The goal is to use the money as it was intended for with PAL, according to Zuber.