Washington’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 allocates $71,490 to outside agencies, $8,000 less than allocated in the current budget.

That $8,000 difference in the proposed budget reflects a one-time $8,000 contribution to Open Door Community Center in the current budget.

The proposed budget also appropriates $431,580 for economic-development entities such as the Washington Harbor District Alliance, Washington-Warren Airport and Arts of the Pamlico. The proposed budget includes the airport as an economic-development entity, and it allocates a $244,769 subsidy for the airport. City officials view the airport as an economic-development tool.

Not included in the proposed budget is a request from the Beaufort County Police Activities League for $5,000 a year to help it pay the monthly operating expenses of its Aviation, Technology and Fitness Center adjacent to Washington-Warren Airport. The center’s STEM program offers aviation- and boating-related activities for area youth. City officials received the request after the proposed budget was drafted.

Alvin Powell, BCPAL’s director, explained the request to the council during its April 9 meeting. Powell noted that cost overruns associated with building the center exceeded $50,000, putting a strain on BCPAL finances.

The council took no action on the request. That likely will come when the council begins its budget work sessions the week of April 23.

Unless the City Council changes their allocations, eleven outside agencies are receiving the same amount of money in the proposed budget as they received in the current budget. The proposed allocations follow:

• Boys & Girls Club of the Coastal Plains, $10,368;
• Zion Shelter and Kitchen, $6,120;
• Wright Flight, $2,268;
• The Blind Center, $810;
• Eagle’s Wings, $648;
• Special Olympics (in-kind rental), $3,024;
• Pamlico Pals/Horizon (In-kind rental), $3,528;
• Beaufort County Police Activities League (in-kind rental), $1,260;
• Sound Rivers (in-kind rental), $24,024;
• Purpose of God Annex, $12,960;
• Cornerstone Worship Center, $6,480.

The proposed budget allocates the following amounts for economic-development efforts performed by various entities:

• Washington-Warren Airport, $244,769 subsidy;
• Economic-development projects, $60,000;
• Washington Harbor District Alliance, $40,176;
• North Carolina Estuarium, $12,960;
• Arts of the Pamlico, $10,368;
• Optimist Club of Washington (Christmas parade), $972;
• Washington Civic Center subsidy, $$35,000;
• Washington Civic Center (maintenance), $15,000;
• Washington Civic Center (insurance), $7,335.

Overall, the proposed budget appropriates $431,580 for these entities.