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December 10, 2011 in City
City cuts Youth Department
Council adds money to budget for its own staff
Roland Chase has a message for incoming leaders of Spokane’s city government:
“I would not turn my back on the youth of Spokane.”
Chase is the son of Jim Chase, the former mayor and champion of Spokane’s youth.
This week, one of Chase’s top legacies was undone by the Spokane City Council when it opted not to give the Youth Department enough funding to remain part of city government. On Wednesday, the city Youth Department’s two employees received layoff notices, effective Christmas Eve. There is no other organization in place to take over the department’s functions.
At the same time, the City Council voted to spend an amount similar to what would have been needed to save the Youth Department on increased benefits for council members’ assistants, and to allow City Council President-elect Ben Stuckart to hire an assistant.
Only outgoing Councilman Steve Corker voiced support for maintaining the Youth Department within city government.
Chase said he’s angry that the fight his father led to make youth a priority within city government – including casting a vote for the program from a hospital bed – has been dismissed.
“I think they’re figuring that most of the youth we have don’t vote,” said Chase, a retired court bailiff. “If they can afford Weights & Measures, they can afford some money to spend on the youth of Spokane. They will vote one day and they might remember.”
Mayor Mary Verner’s proposed budget put three city departments at risk: Arts, Weights & Measures and Youth. By the end of the hearing this week that finalized the city budget, Arts and Weights & Measures were preserved at nearly the same funding levels they received this year. But the council followed Verner’s recommendation to slash the youth budget from about $175,000 this year to $54,000.
That money, along with $54,000 from the county, will be used to entice a nonprofit group to take over the duties of the Youth Department.
Council President Joe Shogan said the Youth Department seems to be on the chopping block every year there’s a budget crunch.
“It has not found a real sustainable way to function,” Shogan said. “We’re not saying we’re doing away with them. But we’re looking at a better way to provide the service.”
Councilman Jon Snyder was one of the six council members who disagreed with Corker’s attempt to provide funding to maintain the Youth Department. He said it’s possible that the department could remain part of city government in some form.
“In my mind no action has been taken that sets that direction in stone,” he said. “I wish we had more of a discussion about where that is going.” But Snyder conceded that any future discussions will take place after the department’s staff has been laid off.
The Youth Department works with the Chase Youth Commission, which is staffed by volunteers, to organize the annual Chase Youth Awards. Because the awards are separately funded by a foundation, it’s expected that they will continue. The department and the commission also hold a Battle of the Bands competition and a candidate debate.
The department’s other activities include operating a website, www.youthlinkspokane.org; partnering with the West Central Neighborhood Council to help improve academic achievement in the neighborhood; and developing an anti-bullying campaign. But most important, say students and others involved in the program, the department gives teens a forum to comment on city issues and participate in decision making.
Snyder said the department did good work but could have done more.
“We’re trying to use this opportunity to make sure programs are performing at their highest possible level,” the councilman said. “If there was more agreement that the Youth Department was performing at the highest possible level, maybe the outcome would have been different.”
During the recent mayoral campaign, Mayor-elect David Condon didn’t disagree with Verner’s plan to turn over the Youth Department’s functions to a nonprofit agency. But he said this week that it appeared premature to dissolve the program without a clear path forward. He named Youth Director Joanne Benham, who is being laid off, to his transition team.
Condon said he will push for a vibrant youth program with strong ties to city government and the Chase Youth Commission even if it doesn’t receive much funding from city taxpayers.
Not unnoticed by supporters of the Youth Department was a separate decision by the council to begin providing medical benefits to their assistants at a potential cost of more than $100,000. The council also set aside $45,000 so incoming City Council President Ben Stuckart can have an assistant. Outgoing Council President Joe Shogan and outgoing Councilman Bob Apple were the only council members who declined having personal assistants.
Shogan, Apple and Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin opposed the benefits for council assistants.
McLaughlin said while she supported hiring part-time assistants a few years ago, now isn’t the time to increase the costs of the program.
But Snyder said it’s unfair to “ghettoize” the assistants just because they aren’t members of unions. The council had kept their hours just slightly below the amount that would have forced the city to offer them medical benefits. Monday’s action makes them three-quarters of full time and gives them full city health benefits.
“People who work for me ought to enjoy the same benefits that I have,” Snyder said.
Snyder noted that the city also added $100,000 to its Human Services budget that will be up for grabs for social services agencies focusing on health issues. The allocation was sparked because Project Access, which was funded by the city last year, forgot to apply and was not included in the city’s annual funding to human services agencies. This year, the city awarded $900,000 to such agencies.
Shogan said he understands why those laid off would question the council’s decision to increase its own budget at the same time it is slashing programs.
“Do I think that’s a valid question? Hell, yes,” said Shogan, who noted he voted against funding council assistants’ benefits.
The City Council budget will be about $1.1 million next year. Its budget this year was $1 million, though it will spend about $800,000, said Budget Director Tim Dunivant.
Benham, who has requested to stay on at the city until Jan. 2, has led the department since its inception. She said she was surprised and disappointed that youth weren’t a bigger priority for the city’s elected officials.
“When funding is tight it should be even more critical for young people to have a say in how the city and the county serve them,” Benham said in an interview in her office as she was cleaning it out. “People think that volunteers can be on autopilot and everything will be as it was.”
City officials expect to request bids from nonprofit organizations to take over the functions of the department. Benham said besides the YMCA and CampFire USA, the Chase Youth Foundation has expressed interest.
In a meeting in 1985 – not long before the City Council unanimously approved the creation of the Youth Department and the Youth Commission that now bears his name – Chase called out other politicians who questioned if the city could afford it.
“If there was ever a priority, this is one,” Chase said, according to a Spokesman-Review article about the council meeting in October 1985. “If this (youth budget) gets reduced, I’m going to keep an eagle eye on everything else we spend. I’m going to be hard to get along with.”
MAC faces angry crowd 
Spokanewaste on December 10 at 3:01 a.m.
Thank you Jonathon for bringing this to light. There is an emerging pattern of “feathering of one’s nest” by the City Coucil in spite of a significant budget deficit for the city.
A couple of years ago our part time council members gave themselves some part time assistants. This past spring, our council members gave their assistants a 15% raise. They did this under the table with no public comment. The kicker is that the assistants didn’t have to take on any additional work or hours. Just “here you go”.
Now, as a part of the budget approval process, the city council INCREASED the hours of the assistants making them 3/4 time AND giving them benefits! I have heard of full time employees using part time assistants, but never have I heard of part time employees using full time assistants (in this case 3/4 w/ beni’s). The worst part about this is the brazen manner in which they are operating. They don’t care about public opinion. The city council has gone from not having any assistants, to part-time, to near full-time and now with benefits! My daughter has a children’s book she loves, “If you give a mouse a cookie…”. The city of Spokane could write its own book, “If you give a city council member an assistant…”. And! They want add an additional position on top of the increased hours and benefits? Unbelievable!!!!!
The evolution of administrative support by the part time city council when others are drastically downsizing is ridiculous and demonstrates that many on the council are tone-deaf; or worse, don’t care what their constituents think! The $100k plus could be better spent. Our city council has chosen to pamper themselves with assistants at the direct expense of children’s programs. Shame on them! This is one voter that will remember their priorities come the next election cycle.
oneanddone on December 10 at 3:36 a.m.
“I think they’re figuring that most of the youth we have don’t vote,” said Chase, a retired court bailiff. “If they can afford Weights & Measures, they can afford some money to spend on the youth of Spokane. They will vote one day and they might remember.”
Yeah, there Roland. Don’t hold your breath. Kids grow into taxpayers, who’d rather spend their money the way they want to. On the other hand, increasing the size of govt this way WILL be remembered, and considered, by ALL taxpayers in the NEXT election. When will those who yearn to be in charge, stop thinking of the law of common sense and decency as optional. Great job Jonathon, bringing these slime out into the light of day.
steve on December 10 at 4:02 a.m.
I’m a middle school teacher. I’ll definitely let my students know this news. They are very good at spreading information.
Scoutster on December 10 at 6:36 a.m.
Steve…
Ask how many of them actually participated in Youth Department activities and what they have contributed to keep it going.
If there was any true discussion of the value and outcomes of this program, how many people it actually touched (my guess is very few), and how vital it is, then that should have been mentioned.
We pay them to make decisions, and I bet most people won’t miss this department one little bit.
drwonderful on December 10 at 6:47 a.m.
Folks, do we really need this program? Don’t the schools work on improving academic achievement and provide an anti-bullying program? Also, I would think that a social studies class might involve students to discuss city and national issues.
D Statler on December 10 at 6:56 a.m.
This really should not surprise anyone reading. The little money saved will be donated ten fold in the criminal justice system. Once again,our leaders have failed to hit the mark at our expense. If performance was truely the issue here. These leaders should have tied the money to the goals desired. Now for the administrative assistants. Can you imagine the benefit to youth by influxing local Students,DECCA and these CHASE kids into the assistant positions. There was no need to hire help when the young leaders would and could have contributed solely for the experiences. I see tons of opportunities for our youth in local government. We just need leaders willing to invest the time to help them. This cut from the bottom attitude is rampant in our state. :^(
wenric on December 10 at 7:07 a.m.
this department provides valuable information services to youth (everything from event information to critical services such as those to help with depression and thoughts of suicide), and empowers them to engage with local government in a way no social studies course comes close.
It also recognizes hundreds of youth each year through its youth awards event, for the amazing contribution our youth provide to the community. The youth also recognize adults who demonstrate commitment to youth through their breakfast of champions event. Young adults also conduct a candidate forum that puts candidates for public office on the hot seat to demonstrate their commitment to our future generations.
Finally, it highlights (or so I thought) the value of our youth to our community leaders and facilitates the giving of their input into local government policies that gives youth hope, pride and self worth. Though most of the effort is done within the city of Spokane, Spokane County provides significant funding to the program as well; making it a collaborative effort to boot.
This is a sad day
dataxman on December 10 at 7:40 a.m.
Times are tough and things need to be cut - totally understandable. But to cut a program just to give raises & benefits to ‘assistants’ is just wrong.
Lefty on December 10 at 7:41 a.m.
nice cut!thank you That is 1 cut,300 more to go, all assistants for gov employees,get back property crime unit,use gov vehicles for 10 years,do not replace them every 2 years! Bye Bye Verner,you have made your mess now leave……ps you call your self the Green Mayor, when you are sitting in line getting your coffee,think about the exhaust being belched into the sky by EVERY drive up in the city. When the drive up’s go away then I will start my part
GSLFan on December 10 at 7:44 a.m.
“If there was ever a priority, this is one,” Chase said, according to a Spokesman-Review article about the council meeting in October 1985. “If this (youth budget) gets reduced, I’m going to keep an eagle eye on everything else we spend. I’m going to be hard to get along with.”
The ghost of Jim Chase needs to be rattling the walls of those pulling down hefty city paychecks. When private industry is taking paycuts and layoffs while city fatcats get union-negotiated raises, something is rotten in the kingdom of Mary.
Godspeed, Mayor-elect Condon. Bring forth your mighty sword and slash all those services that can be consolidated with duplicate county functions.
bpackley on December 10 at 8:02 a.m.
This program, unfortunately, was cut due to “budget cuts”. Yet, instead of putting this money back into the general fund to keep other cuts from happening, the Mayor and your city council decided to give themselves a raise and the ability to hire an assistant!!! Gee look, Washington D.C. politics running amuck right here at home!! All of you 200,000+ citizens should march on city hall and physically remove the mayor and all the city council members that voted for this to happen! That money could have been used to fund more police officers, or used to PROPERLY fix crumbling roads, hell, maybe even put the money into the snow clearing budget since Spokane doesn’t have nearly enough snow plows to keep the city properly cleared of snow!!! But no, pay raises for the city council and only one new job created, so the city council president can have an assistant!!
Good job Spokane! No wonder Olympia doesn’t think you exist! It is just business as usual in your political system!!
Spokanewaste on December 10 at 8:32 a.m.
The irony is that if we call our respective council representation to complain we will end up speaking with the over compensated part time assistants!
force_vector on December 10 at 9:02 a.m.
I find it somewhat ironic that we support and encourage the physical removal of corrupt leaders in other countries, yet in our own, we allow them the continuing privilege of determining value, whereby the conclusion is nothing is more valuable than themselves. It occurs to me that we have become great referees for a game that we are unable to play ourselves.
DickAdams on December 10 at 9:43 a.m.
The ship of fools at city hall have no idea how the budget should be fixed. To start with a zero based budget, and start from square one. I quiet, for the most part, even watching the city council meetings. Between Joe Shogan and his temper tantrums, his bulling of citizens who testify, except some dufous lying to everybody how much money, with some moronic plan, like the purchase of the building Mayor Verner purchased for Anne Kirkpatrick et al are saving the city in baloney dollars.
Jon Snyder, recently, a rare occasion I happened to watch channel 5 and Snyder proved to me how he spews out stuff that reminds me of digested food through the bull, when he did not know what he was talking about. Snyder is a pseudo intellectual know it all. Snyder was discussing with Director of the budget Tim Dunivant the mill rate. I even saved what he said, and his lack of knowledge when Snyder proclaimed the city determines the actual mill rate. Jon Snyder doesn`t even know the only thing we give to the county so they can establish what the mill rate will be, is the total dollars the budget the council passes for the ensuing year. Snyder, is full of it and thinks Cooley et al, show the mill rate when they submit the total amount of money increase over the preceding year to increase taxes. Its too pathetic to opine more stuff as it is a waste of time.
Pete43 on December 10 at 10:12 a.m.
What happens to a person once they are elected? People seem to lose all common sense when elected to a public office.
DickAdams on December 10 at 10:48 a.m.
I forgot to even include in my previous post, that the city council assistants should be abolished ASAP. Obviously, Snyder, the know it all, did not even have his assistant research the subject to find out who figures out the mill rate. Snyder would have found out, rather than the city showing the mill rate as he claimed, it is the county after they receive the total amount of money taken from the budget (to increase taxes). Period. I`d suggest to Jon he review the taped council meeting when he shot off his mouth re his claim the city shows the mill rate, when in fact its the county. The mill rate established is then figured out with total dollars on the document provided the county to use permissible mill rate and establish if it is lawful per the state statue. Not all but most of the council members act like pseudo intellectual pygmies but Jon Snyder and Joe Shogan, IMO are at the top of the list. .
liberal_in_right_wing_land on December 10 at 10:54 a.m.
I find it funny the typical tea baggers on here who complain about government spending on every level of government but then when the government cuts something they all get mad. You would think the tea baggers on here would LOVE this program being eliminated since this is just a social program and we know how you all hate social programs.
So basically, you tea bagging idiots want government to cut spending, but only on spending programs you don’t agree with. Nice.
Also, has anyone heard if the newly elected boy Condom is going to keep his salary low like Verner has been doing? Or is he going to be a typical hypocritical tea bagging republican who rails against government spending, but then once in office he takes as much government pay as possible.
Dazzeetrader11 on December 10 at 11:27 a.m.
Cosmetic cut. Not much was going on in the Youth program anyway. DIdin’t need it and it’s always underfunded so little oculd be done by the 2(?) person staff.
Just didn’t do much. Hail to Jim Chase but seriously the lil ‘dept” was only a tip of the hat to him. Coucil emembers need assistants…they share them too I think.
It’s about operating a city or operating a non essential dept. Take your pick.
To seriously fund this type of dept, get rid of the unions who suck up a full 1/3rd high fees and salaries. That’s roughly a range of $10 to $50 thousand per union employee. Use your brains…take you picks…it’s obvious what’s going on. Verner spent $15 million on unneeded and unwanted real estate. Bet she wishes she had that back. You guys have no idea how much damage she did. Condon needs to find a way to reverse her idiocy.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on December 10 at 11:35 a.m.
Dazzee, you know this site gives you the option of “previewing” your comment before you post it so you can proofread it and make changes to spelling and grammar errors that a 3rd grader would know to fix.
But then, I guess, when you start drinking at 7am its hard to read what things say when your vision is already blurry. CHEERS!
DickAdams on December 10 at 12:12 p.m.
liberal: If you don`t think the governments at all levels are spending too much money, your residence might be a cave or your not being honest with yourself. As far as I`m concerned it about time we stop the unrelenting seniors whining they want more, and expect to be spoon fed by the governments. Let them go to their church, social clubs, or wherever, to whine and stop begging governments for more, more, more.. I`m 82 years old and I say cut most of the programs. Personally they can cut all of the senior programs, I could care less.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on December 10 at 12:17 p.m.
So if your 82 years old Dick and against all government programs, I suspect you are not taking one cent of social security and aren’t on any medicare or ANY other government programs then, correct?
Spokanewaste on December 10 at 12:58 p.m.
Though the next election is way off I will remember this action and tell others of this bs. Apple and Corker are safe as they will not be running for re-election. Waldref, Snyder and Stuckert will be one term only based on this tone deaf act. Also, important to note that the council is not proposing AN assistant for Stuckert, they are proposing an ADDITIONAL assistant for Stuckert. So, two assistants instead of one for Stuckert. Shogan has one assistant now. Utterly ridiculous. Even if the youth program should be cut, the $145k increase in council payroll should go elsewhere. I will be going to the next council meeting to voice my concern in the public comment period. Others should join me and hold our elected officials accountable. It would be good to know if the new council president feels the need to have two assistants instead of the one the position has now!
johnclarke on December 10 at 1:51 p.m.
When you are spending the same amount of out money, it’s not a cut.
Also, who cares. Until someone focuses on the big budget issues then this type of stuff is just a distraction. BTW, who pays for the new guy’s “transition team”?
mikeln on December 10 at 2:10 p.m.
They are doing this to see how much flak they get. If they get a lot they know the people are watching them. If it just disapears, and I’m sure it will, they know we just don’t have the time to take action. When this happens they know they can get away with most anything. Let the hand washing begin.
bsdetector on December 10 at 2:12 p.m.
Seems (as with every story about city goverment around here) that the same few know-it-all posters can whine and moan about how City Hall knows nothing, yet I never, NEVER see their names on the ballot for a council position. If you have all the answers, as the majority of you seem to think you do, then do something about it. Run for office and change the way this city runs.
Spokanewaste on December 10 at 2:26 p.m.
Thx for the pep talk. I am announcing my candidacy!
johnclarke on December 10 at 2:35 p.m.
Run for office and change the way this city runs.
Why? Is any council member or Mayor going to (successfully) take on the Unions? Nope.
http://www.spokanecity.org/government/budget/bids/?year=7
Ease on down to the “safety” section. That is the real power in this town.
liberal_in_right_wing_land on December 10 at 3:01 p.m.
force_vector - you should heed your own advice. you’re hateful comments are no better than what I say.
I am not here to change minds, I am mainly here to point out the stupidity and hypocrisy of tea baggers like you, there are other liberals on here that can do a much better job of trying to change minds and keep their cool when dealing with plain dumb people like you. My skill set is just pointing out the stupidity like you show and making tea baggers like you as mad of possible and post comments like you did above.
force_vector on December 10 at 3:27 p.m.
I’m not mad at all. To be mad, I would have to really care about what you had to spew, be a Republican, and associate myself with the tea party. Since none of those criteria apply, we can just go with reality, which is that I was providing you with unsolicited advice. But, hate on hater.
Spokanewaste on December 10 at 6:46 p.m.
Saw Mike Allen won today. Hopefully he will put an end to this nonsense and direct the money elsewhere and not give Stuckert a second assistant.
Lulubelle on December 11 at 10:31 a.m.
Council members McLaughlin, Apple & Shogun avail themselves of city benefits…..but vote against same for council assistants? Really?…interesting.
Getting rid of the youth department is a prime example of shedding “big government” spending……….the righties should be overjoyed! Now the private job creating sector can step up to the plate if they can only figure out how to make some money on the deal.