As long as layoffs and major cuts are a possibility
– and for the City of Hollister they are looking inevitable – it
would be irresponsible for officials to continue donating each year
to several local nonprofit organizations.
As long as layoffs and major cuts are a possibility – and for the City of Hollister they are looking inevitable – it would be irresponsible for officials to continue donating each year to several local nonprofit organizations.
Hollister City Council members last week indicated they might nix the $47,500 in allocations, or at least postpone them until there is more promise for a turnaround and a brighter outlook on the budget. The consideration comes as council members consider a proposed 12.5 percent cut and while the city faces continued deficits trending toward a debt in the general reserve within two or three years.
The local nonprofits that have asked for relatively small allocations from the city are worthy causes and do a great job serving the community. They include Emmaus House, the Hollister Youth Alliance, the local ombudsman program, the Seniors Council, Senior Legal Services and a suicide prevention program.
Last year, city officials decided to lower the nonprofit funding by 5 percent to coincide with the same cut absorbed by Hollister’s workforce. But considering there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the economy and local revenue losses anytime soon, and that government officials in general must weigh whether such donations fit into taxpayers’ utmost priorities in troubled times, Hollister officials should end the practice as they decide on the budget for 2010-11.
There is severely limited funding to go around, and the available dollars should get allocated to basic services – such as police and fire – as the first and most important priorities. Since those basic services are due for a possible hit in the coming years, and layoffs are possible in both public safety departments, how could council members justify continuing to act in a such a charitable fashion? They have to consider whether it is more important to give a few thousand dollars to a handful of organizations or cut $47,500 from the payroll. The choice seems simple.
Especially in these difficult times, the annual giving to nonprofit organizations must end. If those services are so valued by the community, then private donors will step up and fill the gaps as necessary.
