When times get tough, community support can make a world of difference.
Coffee and Conversation will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 26 at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S., in the council chambers. Residents, organizations, faith-based groups and business owners are invited to discuss ways to maintain public services as Federal Way faces difficult economic conditions.
Attendees are encouraged to share their struggles, innovative ideas and willingness to work together to address city-wide issues.
City of Federal Way Human Services manager Lynnette Hynden proposed the idea. Her education background in business and human services, as well as conversations with local agencies that are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, prompted the event.
“I feel like there’s a good opportunity,” Hynden said. “Why waste this time to bring people together and see how it goes?”
Attendees will listen to a handful of brief presentations highlighting various sectors in the community. They will then be invited to participate in a series of quick round-table discussions designed to provide insight into how local people and things in Federal Way are tackling hardships and spreading successes.
“Let’s talk about ways we can come together and help those we know,” Hynden said.
Tough choices
The city’s declining revenues are forcing tough choices. Former city manager Neal Beets, on April 28, introduced his recommended cuts for the next budget cycle. The recommendation included layoffs, leaving unfilled positions vacant, furlough days, closing Dumas Bay Centre, putting park plans on pause and holding off on a cost-of-living increase for city staff.
Beets also recommended transferring some city revenue — utility taxes — from the capital fund to the operating fund so as to preserve the level of services currently provided. He suggested tapping the city’s rainy day fund, and warned if the city does not begin to address how the economic climate is affecting its revenue sources now, its financial situation will only worsen.
The city council has yet to vote on whether to accept the recommendations, but has acknowledged a bumpy trail is ahead. If no action is taken, the city faces a $4.4 million deficit by 2010’s end, chief financial officer Bryant Enge said.
The city is not the only one feeling a crunch. Businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. Residents are working to keep their families fed. The economy is changing and businesses hoping to stay afloat must be open-minded, said Tom Pierson, Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO. Re-evaluating business models, networking and teaming with agencies to accomplish similar goals and support one another is important, he said.
“In this economy, (businesses) really need to look at expanding into partnerships and looking in places you’ve never looked before,” he said.
Hynden points to Build the Bridge — a local group compromised on non-profits, AmeriCorps, St. Francis Hospital and faith-based agencies. The group has worked together for the past eight years to clean up the Westway neighborhood. She hopes to bring people together that are willing and able to follow this example and support the community.
Learn more
Those interested in attending Coffee and Conversation can e-mail Lynnette Hynden at lynnette.hynden@cityoffederalway.com or call her at (253) 835-2650 to reserve a seat.
