Agencies ask for money from Valley City Council

Organizations that provide healthcare, serve the poor, conduct medical research, spay and neuter house pets, promote the arts and champion local businesses asked the Spokane Valley City Council for money Tuesday night.

Presentations from 10 social and economic development agencies began the council’s annual discussion of a small portion of the city budget devoted to programs outside city government.

The council will sort out $289,500 worth of requests for $120,000 that is set aside in the city’s $76 million budget for 2007.

“I’d like to look at raising it a little bit,” said Mayor Diana Wilhite.

The council increased the amount by $20,000 last year, and Councilman Mike DeVleming said he would also consider raising the amount for next year’s budget because the city’s financial footing has improved as it has grown older.

Each council member will bring back a proposal to split the money – including any change to the total amount – to debate at meetings Sept. 19 and Sept 26.

New funding requests for them to consider are:

•The Institute for Systems Medicine, which is asking for $100,000 from the city to add to money from the state and area colleges to create an institute to study diseases.

•Pet Savers, requesting $25,000 to spay and neuter pets at low cost in conjunction with a SCRAPS voucher program.

•The Spokane Valley Arts Council, requesting $10,000 for a Web site, advertising materials and art programs at Valleyfest and elsewhere in the city.

•Inland Northwest Women’s Business Center, requesting $10,000 for training and business counseling for women entrepreneurs.

Agencies that have received funds in previous years are:

•Big Brothers Big Sisters, which has requested $7,000 for next year. It received $2,000 of $8,500 requested for this year.

•Project Access, which provides medical services and drugs to people without insurance. It has requested $30,000 – the same amount it received for this year.

•The Spokane Valley Community Center, requesting $5,000. It received $7,000 of $14,823 requested for this year.

•Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels requested $2,500 to help pay for the lunch program at the Spokane Valley Senior Center. It received $1,000 in 2005.

•The International Trade Alliance, requesting $35,000. It requested the same amount for this year and received $16,000.

•The Spokane Area Economic Development Council, asking for $65,000, the same amount it received after requesting $90,000 for this year.