BRADENTON — Manatee County commissioners were looking for answers Tuesday on how county funds for social services were being spent.
Commissioner Larry Bustle wanted to know if the money the county allocated to help people during these hard economic times was getting to the people in a timely manner.
Bustle also asked if enough money was available for social services.
He requested the commission hold a workshop on the issue, which Chairwoman Gwen Brown agreed to convene.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore was concerned there may be duplication of services, while Commissioner Joe McClash wanted to know how great is the need in the county.
Fred Loveland, director of the Community Services Department, explained how there were two sources for funding social service programs, local monies raised from the county’s Children’s Services Fund property tax assessment and funds from federal agencies.
The county provides funding to about 40 nonprofit agencies, such as Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels, from the Children’s Services Fund, which totaled about $10.9 million this year.
Several other nonprofit groups receive funding from the county through general revenue and grants.
This year, the county is receiving federal dollars through the 2009 Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commissioners on Tuesday approved an agreement to accept more than $2.2 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds.
About $635,000 of those funds will be used for rental assistance for residents at risk of becoming homeless, said Cheri Coryea, director of the county Neighborhood Services Department.
Bustle raised concerns about the non-recurring nature of those funds and how the county will pay for the services after those monies are spent.
Some of the commissioners also wanted to know why the funds were not available sooner since the economic stimulus legislation was approved last spring.
Coryea explained the federal process started in mid-August and provided for a 45-day comment period before the county could begin to review the commitment contracts.
She said several of the non-profit agencies that will be awarded funding have never received federal monies and had problems with the contract language, so were taking more time than usual to review them.
“The good news is that tomorrow (Wednesday) will begin training sessions,” Coryea said. “And once the agreements are signed they can begin spending the money.”
Disclaimer: Story comments are intended to provide a place for constructive dialog about issues and events in our community. Your input is encouraged and can make a positive difference. To achieve this, no obscenity, personal attacks, or racial slurs are tolerated. Users brought to our attention for violating our terms of use will be blocked from commenting permanently and without notice. Please help keep the comments on topic by flagging objectionable material and remember that children and young adults may be reading your comments. With freedom of speech comes the responsibility to be respectful of others.
Email Story
Printer Friendly 
Quick Job Search
@Nyx.replyAnswerText@