Community members pleaded with Seattle City Council members last week to consider more money for human services in the 2009-2010 biennial budget process, but the residents were told the city is facing a potential steep loss of tax income.

While there were many Ballard residents in attendance, people spoke about concerns relating to all areas of the city, but in particular, services for the poor, elderly, homeless and infirmed.

Based on results from 58 instant polling devices that were distributed amongst the more than 100 people who filled the Ballard Senior Center cafeteria, human services and housing issues were the biggest funding priority.

A seemingly endless line of public comment took up the bulk of the two-hour meeting.

Ronni Gilboa manages the Urban Rest Stop, a hygiene center in downtown Seattle where individuals and families can use restrooms, shower and laundry facilities. Since the center expanded last summer, so has their clientele by nearly double.

"However, our finances haven't doubled," said Gilboa.

Patrick Schultz, director of nutritional services for the with the Chicken Soup Brigade, a home delivery program aimed at improving the nutritional health of people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses, said funding from the city allows the group to meet just one-third of their clients' daily dietary needs.

More than 200 homebound people are on the program waiting list, he said.

Dwight Dively, director of the city's finance department, warned a budget cut is likely for the 2009-2010 cycle because one of the city's biggest revenue sources for capital projects, the real estate excise tax, is slumping along with home sales in the region, which are down by about 30 percent from last year.

Last year, the city gained $70 million from the tax, but this year will be "lucky" to get at least $40 million, said Dively.

Sharyne Shiu, executive director of the International District Housing Alliance and a Ballard resident, said her organization does receive some funding from the city and asked the council "to do no harm," and spare her program any cuts.

"Advocate for what is best for the collective common good," said Shiu.

The Alliance provides low-income housing, homeownership education and job skills for Asian and Pacific Islanders.

Jean Godden, chair of the Seattle City Council Budget Committee, Nick Licata, vice-chair of the committee and Dively sat in the front of the room. Budget committee member Sally Clark and Council President Richard Conlin joined later.

Council members listened but did not engage in a discussion.

Mary Lou Dickerson, a Democrat who represents Ballard in the State House of Representatives, praised the city's 10-year plan to end homelessness, but encouraged council members to do something now about the nearly 200 people in Ballard who don't have a place to sleep or food to eat.

"We should look at what other cities are doing with their homeless people," said Dickerson, who chairs the House's Human Services Committee. "What creative things are they doing?"

She also put a plug in for a much sought after public restroom in Ballard.

Representatives from Seattle Senior Centers made their case for more city dollars, too.

The Ballard Senior Center has upward of 3,000 visitors a year and that number is increasing as more baby boomers retire. Its budget is $277,000 a year, of which about $188,000 is realized through fundraising.

The Greenwood and Phinney senior centers are also responsible for raising more than half their budget each year.

Denise Klein, executive director of Senior Service of Seattle/King County, said many are run with "very small staffs" of four or less.

"It pains me to watch what the staffs of senior centers have to do to raise the money needed to keep their doors open," she said. "For people that don't have families, this is their home."

The need will only become greater, she said, especially as the area is expecting a 30 percent increase in residents 60 years or older by 2011.

Increasing support for the public library system was also on several people's priority list.

Mimi Winslow, president of Friends of the Seattle Public Library, said libraries enhance the common good and are a place for young, old, poor, rich and refugee.

"It's truly the most egalitarian service the city provides," said Winslow. "I want you to know how many people view their neighborhood library as the heart of their community, their way up, their way out.

Dively presented an overview on the basics of the city's budget process at the start of the meeting.

Most of the city's multi-billion dollar budget is allocated to Seattle City Light and Public Utilities. The general fund, $920 million for this year, is where most city programs and departments receive funding.

Revenue sources for the general fund come from property, sales and utility taxes.

More than a third, 34 percent, goes to police and criminal justice. The Seattle Fire Department receives the second highest amount, then parks and libraries.

Transportation and human services each get 5 percent of the total general fund, while planning, housing and economic development has 4 percent of the pot. State and federal grants add to these departments each year.

The region's economics has differed from the rest of the country historically, Dively said. The nation as a whole has been losing jobs and the "economy has slowed way down," but not here. Though some sectors of the job market are weakening, it's good overall.

Most economists are forecasting that the Puget Sound region won't experience a recession even if the rest of the nation does, Dively said.

City departments are currently preparing "budget issue papers" that describe budget needs and constraints for the next two years. Mayor Greg Nickels will review those reports and submit his budget proposal to the council by the end of September.

In October and November public hearings are scheduled and the council reviews and changes the budget. It's approved before Dec. 1.

"Events like this will provide us with valuable input," said council member Godden.

Licata said a common theme he took from the meeting was that citizens want the council to act for "the common good."

"I think that's the strongest message we need to hear," he said.

"We set the priorities based on what we hear from people ... we have tough decisions to make," said president Conlin.

Last week's meeting was one of four held by the council on the budget process with the final one on Thursday, May 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S. Alaska St.

Comments can also be mailed or emailed to Council member Godden, Seattle City Hall, Floor 2, P.O. Box 34025, Seattle, WA 98124-4025, jean.godden@seattle.gov.