 |
Ask anyone – a little raise in pay is better than none.
So it’s doubtful that many of the social service agencies that came to the Spokane Valley City Council for assistance in 2009 will walk away too disappointed.
The council, at Tuesday night’s regular meeting, agreed to boost the amount it game to charitable organizations by roughly 3 percent, or $5,000, over the $36,000 it gave last year.
Still, some groups didn’t receive any funds. And while the reasons varied, the bottom line was that some cuts had to be made somewhere, the mayor said.
“I wish we had more money to give – but we don’t,” said Mayor Richard Munson.
Council members said they felt it was more important to give more money in tough economic times, as the groups need it more desperately.
“While $5,000 is not a lot, it could go a long way to help people,” Munson said.
Groups receiving contributions from the city include:
- The Spokane Valley Arts Council, $5,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters, $4,000
- Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels, $5,500
- Project Access, $15,000
- Spokane Valley Partners, $11,000
- Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council, $500
Four other groups did send representatives to request funds from the council Aug. 12 but will receive no money. They include Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, the Coalition of the Responsible Disabled, Hearth Homes and the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.
In the case of Hearth Homes, the group was looking for $150,000 in order to purchase a home in Spokane Valley in order to provide shelter for abused or low-income women and their children. Munson said the city could not fund the full amount, but he would have liked to have given the organization something.
“This problem is real,” he said, suggesting a $1,000 contribution. “This is where the need is the greatest. I’m just talking about a little bit of money.”
The rest of the council, however, said the money would be better served elsewhere.
In the case of GSSAC, which did receive $2,500 from the council last year for 2008, Director Linda Thompson withdrew her request for $8,500, saying it wasn’t needed in 2009. However, she did want to continue with a billboard campaign partnering with the city – hence the $500 contribution in order to keep Spokane Valley’s name and sponsorship on the signs.
The bulk of the city’s overall contribution of $156,000 to outside agencies went to economic-development groups that are challenged with bringing in new business into Spokane Valley. This year’s contribution of $115,000 remained the same; however, some of the dollar amounts were shuffled for some of the groups.
Those receiving funds include:
- Greater Spokane Inc., $64,000
- International Trade Alliance, $26,000
- Spokane Neighborhood Economic Development, $3,000
- Spokane Site Selector, $16,500
- Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, $5,500
In other news, the council will begin its deliberations on the Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan at its next meeting, Tuesday, Sept. 2. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague.
No public testimony will be taken at that time. However, those who have comments on the plan can submit them until 5 p.m. today (Friday). They may be emailed to dgriffith@spokanevalley.org.
|
|
By
Mike Huffman
