Lawrence city commissioners started two days of hearings Wednesday to consider requests of outside agencies that want to be in the 2003 budget.

It’s the first time in recent memory commissioners have met directly with the agencies; senior city staffers collected the information last year. Participants on both sides said they appreciated the opportunity for personal interaction.

“I’m glad you’re doing it this way,” Judy Culley, director of The Shelter Inc., told commissioners. “I like being able to explain this in person.”

Commissioners agreed.

“I learned a lot,” Mayor Sue Hack said.

Thirteen agencies  with requests ranging from economic development to protecting battered women  paraded before the commission Wednesday. Another 13 will be heard during today’s hearing.

Combined, they’re requesting nearly $1.3 million from the city. That’s an 18 percent increase from the $1.09 million allotted for such agencies in the 2002 budget.

But representatives of most agencies said they had tried to keep their requests in check during a tight budget year.

“We’ve tried as much as we could to keep this budget similar to the recent past,” said Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Director Bill Sepic, who was asking for $92,820 for economic development purposes. That’s a 5 percent increase from the $91,000 the city is giving this year.

Commissioners questioned agencies closely about their activities. They also asked how the state’s budget shortfall might affect the agencies.

Agency representatives said they, like everybody else, were waiting for the Kansas Legislature to make its final budget decisions.

“It’s not over till it’s over,” said Kay Kent, director of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department. “Anything could happen.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Commissioner David Dunfield said.

Commissioners will have a May 15 study session where each will recommend suggested allotments for each agency.

“We’ll arm-wrestle or whatever we do at that point,” Hack said.

Commissioners reconvene at 1:30 p.m. today at City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.