ELKHART -- A member of the city council called Monday night for the legislative body to launch an investigation into the possible misuse of arts and culture grants awarded by the city in 2007 and 2008.

Mary Olson, R-at large, said the public response has been deafening to the revelation that at least one organization held on to unspent funds in 2008 -- money that should have been returned to the city.

She said a state statute grants the council the ability to conduct an investigation, and asked that council president Rod Roberson take a vote on the issue at its Nov. 16 meeting.

"The constituents have been very vocal with me," Olson said. "They feel these were their dollars. And the buck starts here, with any common council."

Olson said she wants the inquiry to examine all organizations that received money through the city's Genesis grant program in 2008, and possibly 2007. According to state law, the council is entitled to access all records related to the investigation and can subpoena witnesses and other important information.

But in order for the process to begin, a simple majority of the council must support it. Thus, if the councill's three Republicans were to vote for the investigation, they would need at least two of the six Democrats to join the cause.

Mayor Dick Moore has begun his own examination of the matter, appointing a investigative committee of three people: city corporation counsel Vlado Vranjes, controller Steve Malone and a parks and recreation department staff member.

The mayor said he doesn't believe a separate council inquiry will be necessary once his group's work is complete.

"I don't see the need for it," the first-term Democrat said, "but if they don't agree with what we come up with, they have that right."

The Genesis controversy began last month, when The Elkhart Truth reported that Elkhart Black Expo retained $5,450 in grant money for events that never took place. According to its contract with the city, EBE should have returned those funds at the end of 2008, but instead kept them. The Genesis program was not continued for 2009.

Moore said he has not set a deadline for the committee to complete a report, but the process should not take much longer. One group has already come forward and admitted to keeping funds, Moore said, and the money will be returned to the city with little hassle.

The city is not interested in hunting for criminal intent, he said, but following up on breaches of contract and seeking the return of every unused dollar.

Roberson said he believes the council should not begin its own detective work until Moore completes his internal assessment.

"I think no one is oblivious to what is going on with respect to comments that have been made," Roberson, D-at large, said. "But we are due a detailed piece of information from the administration. I think the council would like to see what comes back from that."