It's an ongoing issue between budget-minded councilmen over public funding for local non-profit agencies.  

For years, those organizations have come out on top, but this may be the year that those organizations don't get their money.

 A controversial question lit a fire at a consolidated government budget hearing this week.

Why?

That one word turned into an emotional debate after one council member suggested phasing out governmental funding for non profits.

Doing so would leave those involved with non-profit organizations passionate in defending their cause.

TV 10 spoke with 232-HELP's Maria Placer, and she says that the government cannot provide the service that non-profits can for the elderly, disadvantaged, uninsured, and especially the children

The suggested proposal plans to wean off those organizations within the very near future, forcing organizations to fend for themselves.

William Theriot's proposed plan would consist of the following:

-Reducing the budget 1/3 this year

-Reduce the budget 1/3 next year

-Reduce the budget the following year by a third, which would have them completely at zero after three years.

Theriot says that three years would be enough time for non-profits to find offsetting funds that can help them stay established.

According to Councilman Theriot, close to 700 constituents that are not comfortable providing non-profits with tax payers money.