The Issaquah City Council heard requests from various non-profits on Thursday, as part of their budget process.
Council members will consider the requests later this week and next week during their budget deliberations.
Here’s a brief look at the groups and their requests:
•Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
This group, established in the early 1990s to prevent the closure of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, runs tours at the hatchery as well as helps out in the upkeep.
FISH is requesting $25,000 this year, up from $22,000 last year.
FISH does not receive any other forms of funding from the city, although last year, and the group hopes again this year, that the City of Sammamish will help to pay for the trout raising program, which goes to stocking local lakes. Funding for the trout program, which FISH says is one of the more popular programs at the hatchery, was cut by the state.
•Issaquah Senior Center
The Issaquah Senior Center provides seniors an area for food, health care and socialization.
The Senior Center requested $81,000, up about $78,000 from last year, due mainly to increased cost of living for salaries.
The center normally also receives funding from King County, however, the recently proposed budget did not include money for the center. Officials at the center said they are hoping to receive about 50 percent of their normal $39,500.
•Issaquah Downtown Association
This group puts together several events throughout the year including ArtWalk, Music on the Streets and holiday events, as well as supporting businesses in the downtown.
The Downtown Association is requesting $35,000 this year.
•Issaquah Historical Society
The Issaquah Historical Society, which runs the museums out of historic homes, puts on the annual Heritage Day, Issaquah Train Show and mining hikes.
The society requested $84,000 from the general fund and an additional $11,000 out of the lodging tax fund.
Organizers also let the council know that in the near future there will be a need for replacement gutters and motion sensor lighting at the Depot. They are also considering selling the Auto Freight building in exchange for more storage space.
•Chamber of Commerce
The chamber, which organizes local businesses and promotes industry and tourism, requested $45,750.
•Village Theatre
The theater has an agreement dating back to 2005, which says the city will contribute $20,000 each year through 2010 from the general fund. In 2007, the theater company did not receive the funds. City officials say that they did not receive an invoice, which Village Theatre says they sent. Due to the mix-up, Village Theatre is requesting that the city pay them the $20,000 before the 2010 time period ends. This may mean the city gives $40,000 this year or $30,000 for the next two years or some other payment schedule. Village Theatre would like the money sooner since they are currently undergoing several capital projects including a renovation to the First Stage Theatre.
•AtWork
This group places people with disabilities in the workforce, in both their own corporations, including a recycling plant, and in various local places of work in Issaquah. AtWork is requesting $20,000.
