MONROE — Marnie Schaffer started bringing her family to the local YMCA for a simple reason: It was free.
The YMCA gave city taxpayers like her limited access to the facility after it opened in 2007. In return, the city agreed to help pay for the YMCA’s construction.
Schaffer became a YMCA loyalist, upgrading to a paid membership.
She criticized the city’s abrupt decision last week, in a budget-cutting move, to stop making annual payments of $131,700 to the facility, prematurely ending its contract.
“They made a commitment, and they’re not following through,” Schaffer said of the city. “That’s it, bottom line.”
The YMCA stands to lose $1.61 million in city dollars during the next 12 years. YMCA officials said they are not sure what that will mean for popular programs. The free memberships, used by 1,430 city residents this year, may go away.
“Everything right now is being assessed,” said Cynthia Klever, associate executive director of the branch.
While the City Council apparently was within its rights under the contract, its decision to end the agreement caught many off guard. No one from the YMCA was told the facility would be on the chopping block last Tuesday, when the council made its decision.
YMCA board chairwoman Martha Dankers said the action showed a lack of respect for the facility. The YMCA was built in part thanks to the city’s pledge.
“We’re really disappointed that there was no discussion with the city about the challenges they’re facing and what we can do,” Dankers said. “We’re a community partner with them.”
Mayor Robert Zimmerman led the council’s Tuesday budget discussion. He proposed making 10 layoffs to close a deficit that may reach $759,000 in 2010. The potential layoffs include three police officers.
Zimmerman put forward other options to discuss. Those included tax increases and the YMCA money.
The council voted 5-0 to cut the YMCA funding. Councilwoman Bridgette Tuttle at the meeting called it a choice between jobs and recreation.
“I would be for trimming the fat,” she said.
Councilwoman Margie Rodriguez was absent from the vote. Councilwoman Patsy Cudaback is executive director of the YMCA, and so recused herself from the discussion and vote.
After the meeting, Zimmerman said he did not expect the council to make a cut that night, and did not feel a need to give the YMCA advance warning.
He said he supports the facility but has been clear that all options are on the table to fix the budget.
“Our backs are against the wall because we have certain obligations to meet — salaries for our employees,” he said.
Councilman Tony Balk said the cut needed to happen that night so the council can start making other decisions. It may try to renegotiate union contracts. It also wants to know how much money it has to prevent layoffs.
“Some of those jobs are police officers,” Balk said. “Usually the sense is that our No. 1 priority for the city is to provide a safe environment.”
Speaking as executive director of the facility, Cudaback said cutting money to the YMCA means cutting city services. She argued that the facility provides more than workouts. Programs help at-risk students and teach lifesaving skills, she said.
“The Y is not recreational,” she said. “The Y is a community organization. The Y is a charity. Obviously with this council, there’s a disconnect.”
Still, the situation has no clear solution, something YMCA member Mary Peterson Clark made clear.
The 74-year-old Monroe resident prizes her free membership, taking weekly fitness courses. Those are important at her age, she said.
But she understands the city is in a bind, she said. She doesn’t want to see police officers cut either. She’s not sure what the city should do.
“I wish I had an answer,” she said. “I really do.”
Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455; arathbun@heraldnet.com.
Special meeting tonight
The City Council plans to meet with the Monroe Police Officers Guild at 6 tonight during a special meeting. No action is expected. The police department is facing cuts because of the city’s deficit.
The public meeting is scheduled for the Fire District training room, 163 Village Court, Monroe.
The council’s regular Tuesday night meeting has been postponed to Aug. 10 to allow the council to participate in National Night Out.
For more information, call 360-794-7400.
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