SEQUIM — The City Council, in an attempt to come up with a funding policy for health and human services, stepped deeply into discussion Monday night over how it should choose and distribute the city’s charitable donations but appeared to make a breakthrough in establishing a frame of reference for making those decisions.
6-1 vote on motion
The council passed 6-1 a motion made by Councilman Erik Erichsen choosing to establish clear expectations of the charitable services the city wants to fund and what specific organizations with which it wants to contract.
The motion also stated that the council makes all decisions regarding donations to health and human service organization, such as the Boys & Girls Club, the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic and the Sequim Senior Activity Center, which have been funded in the past.
Councilman Bill Huizinga, who insisted on making such city charitable funding decisions based on the United Way of Clallam County’s knowledge of where the need exists the most, was the lone vote against Erichsen’s motion.
The council called on Mayor Ken Hays and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Dubois to form a subcommittee that would make recommendations to the council.
Hays said he wanted to narrow the focus to about five health and human services organizations so the city could consistently contribute more to each.
Proposed policy
City Attorney Craig Ritchie was asked to work the council’s motion into a resolution on the council’s proposed policy for possible future council action.
“I’ve never seen a tougher period,” Jody Moss, United Way of Clallam County’s executive director, told the council.
She said a firm policy from the city “helps us to have knowledge of your priorities.”
Erichsen stuck to his position that residents, not the City Council, should determine what goes to charitable organizations.
“They can determine that privately,” he said.
Erichsen, who has voted against funding charities in the past, said if the council insists on sticking with its approach, he preferred it pick those it wants to donate to and stick with it.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
