Something was missing tonight when the Visalia City Council adopted a funding plan for nonprofit groups offering programs for at-risk children and teenagers: the wailing and gnashing of teeth about how little money is available.

The slice of money for nonprofit assistance from the city in the 2008-09 budget year is just over $167,000. But more than two dozen organizations applied, asking for more than $521,000, so no matter what happened, someone was going to go away unhappy.

Of the 26 groups filing applications, only 19 were funded, many at levels much less than what they asked for.

In past years, such reductions in funding have been greeted by complaints from the agencies. Tonight at the Visalia Convention Center, when the Citizens Advisory Committee -- the group tasked by the City Council to screen applications and winnow the field -- presented its recommended award amounts, the report garnered nary a whimper.

Perhaps Council Member Bob Link hit the nail on the head with his observation about tough budget times for the city. "You should all be very appreciative to be part of the mix," Link told the room full of nonprofit representatives.