The United Way usually has an employee loaned to them by the city, but this year the city decided to donate $18,000 to the charity.

City council approved the decision on Dec. 9, at the last council meeting of the 2009, though the decision didn't go through without resistance.

Ward 1 Coun. Joe Cimino voted against the funding.

“There were a lot of groups that came forward during the budget process,” he said. “I question why this didn't come forward at that time. And secondly, what right does city council have to choose which charities (taxpayer's) dollars go to?”

Cimino said this could open the door for other organizations to try a similar means of securing funding.

“If I was any other group in town, I'd look at this and think, 'this group came forward and council approved $18,000, perhaps we should ask as well.' Again, I think that should come through the budget process.”

Cimino said the organization is a worthy cause, but the way the funding came through still bothers him.

“The United Way does incredible work in town, there's no doubt about that. That's not the question. (But) I believe it should have gone through the budget process.”

After all, the United Way isn't the only organization struggling, he said.

“It's a tough time for everybody, for all groups to fund raise.”