Local charitable organizations are going to have difficulty getting more funding from Woolwich Township, if this week’s council meeting is any indication.

A township staff report, holding the line for grant money at $25,251 was presented at the Dec. 8 meeting.

However, requests that have come in for 2010 total $42,869.

Don Harloff, executive director of Woolwich Community Services in Elmira, admits that he is seeking a 30 per cent increase over the previous year’s donation of $9,369.

However, “what it amounts to is $2,700.”

Harloff said that he took historic figures that show the township has traditionally paid approximately 13 per cent of the cost of running the community information centre, one of the services maintained by WCS.

The information centre provides access to government forms, as well as general information about community services that are available.

Harloff said he is asking for an increase for 2010, because costs are rising, due to changes in the way government forms are submitted.

“A lot of documents, government forms, can be done by computer,” said Harloff. “At one point in time, you’d get a birth certificate form from us, and away you’d go.”

Now, visitors who ask for a birth certificate form are given the option of filing the information electronically. The only problem is, they usually require assistance — up to an hour of staff or volunteer time.

Harloff said some members of the community, including the local Mennonite population, have some difficulty dealing with computers.

Councillor Ruby Weber suggested that WCS should consider charging fees for this service.

“I’m sure people walking through that door are capable of paying a fee,” said Weber.

“We don’t want to go down that road,” said Harloff. “It would mean assessing whether someone is eligible or not, and that takes time.”

Councillor Murray Martin also took issue with Harloff suggesting that the Mennonite population would be using these services.

“They don’t use EI,” said Martin.

Harloff explained that while many may not use employment insurance, they do need to get birth certificates and passports — both services provided at WCS.

Councillor Mark Bauman suggested that if WCS wasn’t willing to charge for assistance on electronically sent forms, perhaps the agency should consider not offering this service.

“Is that a good service?” asked Harloff.

“It will still function,” replied Bauman. “Do we have to provide the top level of service? If it eats up a lot of staff tie, you need to make that determination.”

Mary Wilhelm, executive director of Woolwich Counselling Centre, also asked for additional funding than what is being recommended.

The last two years, the counselling centre received additional funds from the township, to help cover the costs of its move to its new facility on Memorial Avenue.

Now, staff is recommending reducing the grant from the $10,000 received last year, to $5,000. The agency is seeking $15,000.

“We find that those who cannot afford to pay for services far exceed those who can,” said Wilhelm, who noted that the agency maintains a policy of providing mental health services to residents, regardless of ability to pay.

An anticipated shortfall in funding from United Way is also causing budget concerns for WCC, said Wilhelm.

Councillors, however, were unwilling to provide more funding to either agency, at least at this point in time.

“My goal is to come in with a budget of four per cent (tax increase) or less,” said councillor Mark Bauman, supporting the staff recommendation. “That’s the challenge we have to live with here.”

Councillor Sandy Shantz, however, suggested revisiting the entire grants process during budget deliberations.

“The centres that have asked for funds are doing very worthwhile work in the community,” said Shantz.

“It’s prudent for the whole thing to be done in January.”

Councillor Ruby Weber agreed.

“I’m not prepared to support the recommendation as it is,” said Weber, who noted that it didn’t seem right to reduce the counselling centre’s funding by half, from $10,000 to $5,000.

Township clerk Christine Broughton noted that it would make her job more difficult, if councillors did not make a decision on grant money at this meeting.

“If we need to find money, it’s up to me and the treasurer,” said Broughton. “I’d like time to work that out, because it will be a struggle.”

In the end, Bauman and Martin voted in favour of the recommendation, and Shantz and Weber voted against. Mayor Bill Strauss broke the tie, in favour of staff’s recommendation.

Township staff will be presenting the entire budget to councillors in the new year. There will still be a chance for agencies to get additional funding at that time, should council reconsider prior to passing the budget.

Councillors are also waiting to look at another request that has come from the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, seeking $5,000. This request came in later than other requests. A staff report, outlining the in-kind support that the township already provides to the festival, will come to a meeting in January.