Several Cincinnati city council members are asking for a do-over for the human services budget.
This after $600,000 in funding was cut from agencies such as the YWCA, Cincinnati Union Bethel and Churches Active in Northside or CAIN.
Most of the agencies say they understand the poor economy means there may be some budget cuts to human services, but they didn't understand why they weren't given any notice that their funds were being cut.
Cincinnati City Council chambers were filled Tuesday with representatives from social service agencies that received notices that their funding would be cut or eliminated from the 2009 city budget.
The agencies, including the
YWCA,
Churches Active in Northside, or CAIN, and
Cincinnati Union Bethel say the city cut all or a portion of their funding for human services without notice.
The Urban Appalachian Council had a room full of supporters with signs asking for funds to be reinstated.
"They helped me with Christmas with both of my kids. And some one-on-one tutoring. For me, it's helping me better my life," said UAC Client, Andrea Andriola.
Churches Active for Northside says the city cut its funding for human services with little or no notice.
"We have received city funding for our Choice Food Pantry since 1997. Last week, I got a letter that we were denied all funding for 2009. That's over 10 percent of our budget," explained CAIN's executive director, Mimi Chamberlin-Daly.
That means CAIN would lose $24,000 in city funds to operate services like its food pantry on Hamilton Avenue.
"For me, it has helped me a lot. And, as far as medicaid medication as well as for food and clothing. To lose this CAIN organization would be a deficit of this community," said CAIN client, Patricia Johnson of Northside.
After listening to over two hours of public comment, the finance committee voted on a motion to restore funding to 2008 levels.
Most council members didn't know cuts to human services were added to the budget by city staff.
"We have a situation that is a little chaotic as a result of some flawed implementation of some very good recommendations. What we're trying to do is actually do a do over and protect people as much as possible and reform the process," said Roxanne Qualls, a Charterite city council member.
It's now up to the full council to vote to decide if the $600,000 will be restored to the 2009 city budget.
