The Maple Valley City Council heard public testimony from a packed house of representatives from community service agencies at the Monday meeting.
The groups presented their cases for receiving funds from the city.
The problem this budget season is the rapidly shrinking revenues facing the city and all government entities across the state.
The city’s projected 2010 general fund budget has a $220,000 hole. It could have been much higher, more than $700,000, but the budget got a in shot in the arm from the Maple Ridge Highlands annexation.
According to Finance Director Tony McCarthy, the 2010 numbers include community service agency funding at the 2009 level of $381,717.
Requests from community service organizations in the 2010 budget, however, added up to $455,865, nearly an 18 percent increase over 2009.
All the community service grants come out of the city’s general fund.
The Greater Maple Valley Community Center request came in at $252,272, an 8 percent increase over last year that was $232,705.
The center took a hit from King County, losing $25,000 in county funds for senior programs.
Community center staff have requested funds to continue operating The Den Youth Center, senior center programs and children and family programs.
The Maple Valley Food Bank asked for less money, $15,000, a 32 percent drop from last year, which was $22,000. The food bank reqested $6,000 for assistance to individuals, $4,000 for the holiday program and $5,000 for operational costs.
Maple Valley Days asked for a 39 percent increase, from $28,500 to $39,663 in 2010. The request would cover city paid services for the summer event including police and Public Works employees and newspaper advertising.
The Maple Valley-Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce asked for $9,700, a 56 percent increase from the $6,200 in 2009. The funds would cover Lake Wilderness Lodge Rentals for the Chamber luncheons and money for information provided to community members and visitors.
The Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation asked for $47,000, 2 percent more than 2009, which was $46,000.
The Farmers Market asked for 55 percent less, $4,500. The market received $10,000 in 2009 for its first season of operation.
The historical society requested $13,280, 13 percent more from $11,766. The money would be used for utilities and grounds maintenance and site planning for a future museum.
The Maple Valley Youth Symphony requested $5,000 to buy a canopy for outdoor performances. The group did not submit a funding request last year.
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church requested $4,500 to build a practice field for sports teams. The church did not request funds in 2009.
Vine Maple Place asked for the same amount as last year, $15,000, for services it provides to homeless families.
Team Tahoma asked for $10,000 for a social services/volunteer fair at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. The group also plans to setup a food program for the homeless. The group did not receive funds last year.
Make A Difference Day requested the same amount as last year, $5,000.
Green River Community College requested $20,000. According to the request form the money would be for technical support for small businesses in the city. There was no request from Green River last year.
