Despite a major budget crunch, the Oak Harbor City Council voted to contribute $6,000 to the Island County Economic Development Council.

Council members decided that supporting the EDC in its mission to improve the business environment was worth dipping into the city’s dwindling general fund reserve, though they chose not to fund the agency’s entire request of $8,000.

“I can’t see increasing it at this time. I can see funding it at last year’s request,” said Councilman Paul Brewer, pointing out that the city has ongoing budget problems. “We had to cut services. We had to cut the youth program for the city.”

At the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, members of the council heard a request from EDC President John LaFond, a former councilman, and Executive Director Sharon Hart.

LaFond outlined some of the EDC’s activities. The two-person office, he said, organizes the annual Uniquely Whidbey Trade Fair in Coupeville, aids businesses interested in locating in the county, works with the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce in bringing together business leaders and legislators, and provides demographic information to businesses and government entities.

The EDC was “instrumental,” he added, in bringing Kenmore Air to the Oak Harbor Airport.

Hart said that the EDC worked to establish 50 new businesses this year, including 35 in the Oak Harbor area.

LaFond explained that the EDC asked the city last year for $25,000 to make up for a shortfall when the state auditor told Island County officials that they can’t give the agency money from the rural county sales tax.

Instead, the council gave the EDC the regular $1,000 fee for membership, plus an additional $5,000 for outreach programs.

At the time, city council members made it clear that the donation was a one-time contribution, but LaFond said that’s not the way the EDC saw it.

“I think it should be considered an ongoing funding request,” he said.

Councilman Jim Campbell seemed the most supportive of the EDC. He urged the other council members not to sweat what he characterized as a modest contribution.

“This is something that has an opportunity to bring money to us,” he said.

Yet several other council members felt it was unfair that Oak Harbor is contributing more than the other cities on the island.

“I am concerned about the burden continually being put on Oak Harbor from the county and the rest of the island,” Councilwoman Sue Karahalios said.

Councilman Larry Eaton asked the EDC to consider moving the trade fair to Oak Harbor. He said it’s not fair that Coupeville businesses get the advantage of having hundreds of customers swarm to their town each year.

Yet Hart countered that it’s the business community that wants the trade fair on Central Whidbey. North Whidbey businesses want to reach customers from the south end of the island and South Whidbey businesses want north end customers.

“Businesses tell us, ‘Don’t move it…’” she said. “They want the cross pollination for business purposes.”