From a museum for children to arts and music organizations to a center for senior citizens, organizations that receive city of Eau Claire monetary support each year attempted Tuesday to make their case to the City Council for continued funding.

Some leaders of organizations receiving city money advocated for continued funding at this year's levels, saying reductions will hamper efforts to operate effectively.

Others, in a sign of the city's budgetary challenges, spent more time thanking the council for its support than asking for expenditures at 2009 levels.

All made their cases for continuing to receive city dollars.

"We really do need your support," Susan McLeod, Chippewa Valley Museum director, told the council.

City financial support for many organizations would be reduced in the proposed 2010 budget, which was balanced with a combination of job reductions, program cutbacks and delayed equipment purchase delays. Unlike in past years, city funding for some of those groups would be cut in half next year and eliminated entirely the following year, making organization leaders' requests for money more urgent than ever.

Many directors, such as McLeod, told council members how their organizations' activities benefit the Eau Claire community. Others described how the economic downturn has hindered their ability to raise other funds. Still others gave examples of how their organizations have cut costs, doing everything from relocating to reducing rent payments to laying off staff. A few advertised upcoming events to the council, an attempt to boost revenue.

Mary Pica-Anderson, L.E. Phillips Senior Center executive director, took a different approach. She read a letter written by a 93-year-old senior center patron who described how center workers have helped her through her bout with cancer.

"That's the kind of difference our center can make for people in this community," Pica-Anderson said.

Eau Claire Municipal Band director Rich Richardson showed the council photos of band performances during the summer, noting how much concert attendees enjoyed those events. The proposed budget calls for the band's funding to be reduced from $5,800 this year to $2,900 in 2010.

Band supporters told the council the group is attempting to raise money on its own but needs city support to continue.

"We're struggling ... we really need some help," Richard Sorenson pleaded after standing up from his wheelchair to address the council.

Other groups asked for the restoration of city funding proposed to be cut from next year's budget.

Representatives of city employee bargaining unit Local 284 voiced concerns about the elimination of five jobs, saying those cutbacks will hinder the ability to provide city services.

Several residents addressed Councilman Andrew Werthmann's proposal to adopt a city vehicle registration fee, otherwise known as a wheel tax. The $10-per-vehicle registration fee would increase city revenue $430,000 the first year after it was adopted and $500,000 annually thereafter, money that would be used for street repairs and snow removal.

"We need to focus on what we get in exchange for the $10 fee," former City Council candidate Eric Rosenquist said, noting money generated by the fee would help reduce future road repair costs.

But city resident Steve Haehn opposes the wheel tax, calling it an "additional tax."

"This sticks in most people's craw because we paid for those streets already," he said.

Whether council members approve the wheel tax or other requested budget changes will be decided Thursday, when the council is scheduled to adopt the 2010 budget. If a wheel tax is approved as part of that budget, the council would officially decide in December whether to move ahead with that initiative.

Emerson can be reached at 830-5911, 800-236-7077 or julian.emerson@ecpc.com.