The Russellville City Council passed its 2009-2010 fiscal budget Tuesday night by a five to one vote. Councilman Jimmy Davenport was the lone hold-out expressing problems he had with cutting out four non-profit organizations that have been used to getting funding from the city over the past five years.

“I just don’t understand why we couldn’t have given them a percentage instead of cutting them altogether,” said Davenport.

The four organizations that failed to make the cut or were cut out of the budget were the Chaplains, Concerned Citizens, Agape and the Tobacco & Heritage Festival.

“If you’ve giving to someone for years when do you draw the line of who not to give to,” said Davenport.

Zick told Davenport that a lot of organizations wrote letters to the city for the funding or came and asked. He said the city was trying to honor those requests and the city was strapped for cash.

“Charity begins at home,” said Zick.

Councilwoman Pat Bell said she agreed with Jimmy’s thoughts but voted yes on the budget. “I think these organizations do a lot for our community,” said Bell who mentioned specifically the Chaplains organization, who provides comfort to victims of traumatic events such as fire, automobile accidents, deaths, etc.

Zick reminded Bell the city gave the Chaplains organization a car last year. He also told the council that if they wanted to make suggestions to do it now, but said a percentage would not work in this instance otherwise money would have to be taken all across the board. No further remarks were made.

A more extensive look into the 2009-2010 Russellville City Budget will appear in an upcoming edition of the News-Democrat & Leader.