Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares said a decline in revenues is forcing her to ask nonprofit groups that apply for grants to reduce their requests by 10 percent.

She said agencies that provide life-supporting services, including food and shelter, will be funded first. She said grants that directly support jobs also will be a priority.

Maui County frequently provides more funding to community agencies than other Hawaii counties. It budgeted $37.5 million for grants this year.

But county finance officials are projecting a drop in revenues for fiscal 2009-10, coinciding with declines in property values and tourist traffic.