Ebe Family Gifts Mount Pleasant Again

The same family who donated $10 million toward the new Mount Pleasant Village Hall has gifted the village again.

Notice was received on or about Aug. 4 that the Ebe family is giving $336,000 to the village without conditions. Their original gift was earmarked for the new hall.

Members of the Finance Committee were pleasantly surprised and had a brief discussion about what to do with the money.

"What a nice problem to have, what to do with the money," Trustee Harry Manning noted. He is the chair of the committee.

Village President Carolyn Milkie confirmed the gift was unexpected.

"We didn't know anything about it until someone from Johnson Bank called us last week," she said.

In the end, municipal finance department staff member Vicki Matter was directed to create an Ebe Donation Fund as part of the general fund. Further, R.W. Baird will invest the money but keep it liquid so the funds can be dispersed for various projects or needs as they come up.

"We don't have a specific use in mind right now," Trustee Karen Albeck said. "So at least while we're making that determination the gift can draw interest."

Another check for the same amount is expected in March 2012.