Pacifica Resource Center belongs back in the City Budget

Pacifica Tribune/Letters to the Editor, 7/14/15.  "Balancing Our Budget" by Robin Crawford

"Editor:  Last month, the Pacifica City Council approved a balanced budget for the fiscal year 2015-2016, a terrific accomplishment for the Council and City staff! However, a balanced budget is not just a matter of math; it reflects the values of our City's residents. 

Balancing the many needs of the people of Pacifica is something more than balancing the books. Weighing our City's financial commitments requires accepting our shared support of our neighbors who struggle to balance their personal budgets. The Pacifica Resource Center was once a department of the City. Ten years ago, we became a Tides Center project instead of closing our doors forever. 

Last year, funding for the PRC was removed from Pacifica's general budget. Again, we await decisions about supplemental County money just to learn if we might be funded this year — a decision that will not be made until March 2016...nine months into our fiscal year. While we provide vital support to Pacificans struggling to make ends meet, we must also worry about our funding for the year. Having PRC in our City's general budget provides certainty for our programs and services; it expresses the values of our City and supports our City's goal to be a compassionate community; and, it provides evidence of support by local government for our fundraising and grant writing work.

Join me to encourage our City Council to put the Pacifica Resource Center back into the general budget, as it has been in the past."

Note:  Robin Crawford is PRC Advisory Board President    Graphic from Pacifica Resource Center Facebook, 9/21/14.

Posted by Kathy Meeh