Tough economic times obviously put additional pressure on a wide range of social service agencies. Ironically, at the same time that demand for assistance is rising, sources of funding often are getting tighter.

A reminder of this situation came this week during the Douglas County Commission’s early deliberations concerning next year’s budget. Having deemed it virtually impossible to meet county needs without at least a small tax increase, commissioners are looking at ways to keep the increase down to 2 or 3 mills.

Keeping the budget to a 3 mill increase would require some reduction in funding to all of the nonprofit groups that receive county support. A budget that requires a tax increase of 2 mills or less likely would result in drastic reductions in nonprofit funding.

On Tuesday, officials with Cottonwood Inc. and the Lawrence Humane Society expressed serious concerns about funding reductions that could be as high as 30 percent for their agencies, but other agencies could fare even worse. When commissioners meet today and Thursday, they will look at reductions that could completely eliminate county funding for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, which provides advocates for juveniles in the court system, and the Emergency Services Council, which provides emergency assistance for families with basic needs such as rent, utilities and food. Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center also could see a

45 percent reduction in funds.

County commissioners certainly take no pleasure in considering such cuts, but they also are acutely aware of the burden any increase in property taxes would place on county residents, especially in difficult economic times.

City and county officials will be facing some tough budget decisions in the weeks to come, and it seems almost certain that at least some reduction in local government funding for local nonprofit agencies will result. If these agencies are to meet their ongoing or even increased demands for services, an increase in private funding will be essential.

Money is tight, but those who can afford to should seriously consider stepping up their charitable giving in these difficult times or volunteering their time in a variety of ways. There are many local nonprofit agencies that need your help.