Before Charlie Bronitsky was elected to the Foster City Council in November he did not realize the city was in the practice of doling out money to area nonprofits every year.

Monday night, freshman councilman Bronitsky voted against all 12 requests the city received by nonprofit agencies for funding, with Mayor Rick Wykoff voting against the funding for most of the requests as well.

Bronitsky’s stance is that the city should not be spending taxpayer money to fund nonprofit agencies at all.

Wykoff, however, considers the request on a case-by-case basis, he said. Councilmembers Art Kiesel, Pam Frisella and Linda Koelling, however, approved most of the requests, although many were lower than the dollar amount sought.

The city’s website currently features an opinion piece authored by Bronitsky that states the city should stop funding nonprofit agencies altogether.

His contention worries some local nonprofit leaders, though, who hope his wave of thought doesn’t spread to other councilmembers in other cities.

The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County provided services to 43 low-income households in Foster City last year, said Executive Director Lauren Zorfas.

The society helped keep families in their homes who may have faced foreclosure due to medical conditions, for instance, Zorfas said.

“Cities and nonprofits need to get creative in leveraging limited resources to keep people housed, healthy and fed,” Zorfas said. Cities would have to pay more for public safety and other services without the support nonprofits provide for the most vulnerable, she said.

The nonprofits that requested funding were CALL Primrose, PARCA, Samaritan House, San Mateo County Jobs for Youth, Shelter Network, Foster City Amateur Radio Emergency Services, Hillbarn Theatre, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, Sustainable San Mateo County, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Sustainable Silicon Valley.

The city’s biggest request was from Samaritan House for $10,000. Hillbarn and PCRC each requested $5,000 and Shelter Network and Sustainable San Mateo County each requested $3,000. The city received 12 requests totaling about $33,000.

It only funded seven of the requests, however, for a total of $16,500. Hillbarn did not get any money from the city this year.

Samaritan House is considered the core service agency by the county from Millbrae to San Carlos. It provided 48 Foster City households with service last year and gave out 189 food vouchers to Foster City residents, said Executive Director Kitty Lopez.

“The money is not just a charitable contribution. It represents an investment in the community for the most vulnerable,” she said.

If Bronitsky’s viewpoints on axing city funding for nonprofit agencies were to spread, “it leaves us in a difficult situation financially,” Lopez said. “In difficult economic times, everyone works together to make sure people get the services they need.”

The council approved $9,000 in funding for Samaritan House this year.

Foster City faces a $3.6 million budget deficit next year, one of the biggest reasons Bronitsky said the funding should be eliminated.

“I don’t dispute the work they do. They do wonderful work. I give to many of the groups out of my own pocket but I don’t think I have the right to give taxpayer money, which they are required to pay, to nonprofits,” Bronitsky said. “People should give more.”

Foster City Vice Mayor Linda Koelling shares a different viewpoint.

“Although, we must be cognizant of our expenditures, there is always a little something to give for our fellow man. I do not agree with stopping funding altogether, rather, if necessary, adjust how much we can give,” Koelling said. “As far as I am concerned, as long as the nonprofit agencies are serving any of our residents, I will continue to vote in favor of giving something to assist.”

Councilman Art Kiesel also said he would continue to support nonprofit agencies that provide a service to Foster City residents that the city itself cannot provide.

In Bronitsky’s “Council Corner” column on the city’s website he writes: “... if you or I want to give our money to those agencies, it should be up to you or me. I believe that governments have no place giving tax dollars to nonprofits, especially when we do not have enough revenue to meet our own expenses without going into our reserves.”

Wykoff said he understands Bronitsky’s position.

“When we have to reduce expenditures, we have to be judicious about who we give funds to. I don’t know why we give money to some of these groups,” Wykoff said.

Melissa Lukin, Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse executive director, said giving money to nonprofits is a judicious way for cities to spend money.

“Public support of nonprofits is the most cost-effective way for public agencies to provide for the basic needs of their residents. Nonprofit salaries and operating costs are significantly less than government agencies,” Lukin said.

CORA did not request money from Foster City. It provides services for victims of domestic violence.

Wykoff only approved requests from PARCA and Samaritan House this year.

PARCA provides services for people with disabilities and Samaritan House provides food and shelter for those in need among other services.

The city gave PARCA $2,000 this year.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.