The Forks City Council held its final 2012 city budget hearing on Monday evening, Dec. 5 in the Council Chambers.

The meeting lasted about an hour, with two local residents fielding questions, with their inquiries focusing on City of Forks funding for the Clallam County Economic Development Council.

On Monday, Dec. 12 the council is scheduled to take a final vote on approving the budget.

The budget is slated at $5.036 million. This a boost of $576,000 from the 2011 budget. The largest increase in the budget won’t affect local property tax payers as $500,000 in state and federal grant funds is scheduled to be spent on 2012 transportation projects including repairs and replacements to the damaged culverts along Russell Road, and for sidewalks on one side of, and other road improvements, along East Division Street.

Under the budget proposed by Mayor Bryon Monohon, local events and organizations to benefit from the city’s “Stadium” fund dollars include $2,665 for the Piece Makers Quilt Club, which sponsors its annual quilt show during the spring Rainfest celebration; $80,429 for the Forks Chamber of Commerce for tourism promotion and to help fund a tourism promotion/event coordinator position; $7,000 for the Snider Hatchery program which helps expand sports fishing opportunities in local rivers; $2,000 for the Forks Fourth of July Committee, an organization that also promotes Forks by entering its float in parades outside of Forks throughout the summer; $2,906 for the West End Youth League sports program; and $7,500 for the Stephenie Meyer Day committee to boost Twilight fan tourism in September.

In the Mental and Physical Health section of the budget the Friends of Forks Animals will receive $4,500.

 The organization is working closely with the City of Forks in rebuilding and upgrading the Forks Animal Shelter located inside a hanger at the Forks Municipal Airport.

Also receiving city funds are the Forks Abuse Program, $2,000, the Sunshine & Rainbows Program, $2,500, and West End Outreach, $2,000.