Funding requests exceed Valley budget

Four economic development organizations and 13 social services agencies took up the biggest part of Tuesday evening’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting, each doing a five minute presentation to persuade the council to give them a grant.

The 18 organizations requested $341,620 – there’s only $107,000 available for distribution.

The city has $150,000 in its 2016 budget for local economic development and social services agencies. However, $43,000 has been committed to a contract with Greater Spokane Incorporated for economic development services.

Funding requests ranged from Spokane Valley Rotary Club asking for $1,071 for lights and decorations for its annual celebration of light festival and tree lighting ceremony, to Valleyfest’s request for $50,000 for regional marketing and promotions.

Rotary’s Steve Florence told the council he found it difficult asking for funding for lights, after listening to social service organizations asking for money to serve the homeless and hungry.

“I just want to remind you that we are here asking for money because we give all our money to these other organizations,” Florence said.

Jim Harken, president of Spokane Valley Arts Council, asked for $35,750 – or 25 percent of the council’s annual budget – with a big portion of that going toward casting a fourth bronze statue that could be ready when the new City Hall opens.

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce asked for $40,000 – or 8 percent of its annual budget – to further its mission.

Past chamber chair Barry Baker told the council that the chamber has worked hard and paid off its debt.

“We are energized and we deserve a pay raise,” Baker said.

Among the many social service agencies applying for funds were Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels which asked for $32,000. Of its 60 routes, 25 are located in Spokane Valley.

The Inland Northwest Fuller Center for Housing asked for $47,631. Director Terri Mayer said the group is working on “tiny houses” as an option for clients who go through the program and are ready to move out on their own.

“Our first tiny house will be at the county fair, and we will also be at Valleyfest,” Mayer said. Tiny houses have been used successfully to replace tent cities and permanent homeless encampments.

The YWCA asked for $11,400 toward its alternatives to domestic violence program shelter in Spokane Valley.  

“We opened a shelter here in the Valley two years ago and we are doing very well,” said the YWCA’s Patty Wheeler, adding that the organization runs up a big hotel bill because it doesn’t turn away anyone referred by law enforcement. “And we use many hotels in the Valley,” Wheeler said.

After all the presentations were over, interim finance director Chelsie Taylor reminded the council to pick carefully and make sure they didn’t award more grant money than what’s available.

Council members will now review the applications.

An organization needs support from four council members to receive funding.

The council is expected to discuss and approve its funding recommendations during its meeting on Sept. 22.