That message was loud and clear at its May 26 meeting when it voted to give the Marysville-Tulalip chamber $20,000, instead of the requested $40,000.

“What stops other organizations from asking for money?” council president Jeff Vaughan asked.

He said he has been asking the chamber for years to show what value the city receives for its financial support for the business organization.

“I’ve not seen what I’m looking for yet,” he said, adding he wants the chamber goals to align with the city’s economic development goals.

Council Member Michael Stevens said he sees new energy in the chamber and recommended fully funding the $40,000. Council Member Donna Wright agreed.

But Vaughan said just because there has been a leadership change doesn’t mean the chamber should get all that funding.

“Is this the best use of money for economic development?” council member Kamille Norton asked.

Stevens said the chamber should not be “cut off completely” because it is partnering with other entities, which is something the council has been asking for. Some funding would give the new leaders a chance to succeed, he added.

Council Member Stephen Muller said a vibrant chamber can really help the city. He recommended starting with $20,000.

“That’s the path of least resistance,” he said.

Norton said there needs to be measurable goals and results.

“This can’t be a continual thing. I’d be more inclined to help fund focused projects. It’s not the city’s job to subsidize,” she said.

The measure passed, with Rob Toyer abstaining.

About half of the money will go to a website update, and the other half to an intern to work on the website and other communications. The chamber also had asked for funding to help new small businesses join the agency.

In other council news:

• A presentation by the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau shows that almost $1 billion comes to the county in that industry, even though Washington is the only state in the nation without a tourism office. Specifically to Marysville, various sports tournaments brought $1.4 million to town last year. Marysville has its own page on the county tourism website. It is also featured in brochures and its visitors guide. Seattle Premium Outlets is a hot spot in Marysville as shopping is the No. 1 thing visitors do in the area. Social media is big, as the county bureau has five Facebook pages.

• Dave Koenig, a planning manager in Everett, will be Marysville’s new community development director.

• The chamber said its new carnival will take place July 9-12.

• Cathy Pama was named volunteer of the month. She donates 32 hours a month to straightening up the city’s archives. She’s also a chamber volunteer.

• Stevens said a focus group is starting work on a search for a new fire district chief.

• Norton said a group will be formed in the fall to plan for the future of the Nature’s Window park.