Agenda - 10-21-2008 - 4g - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Due to fiscal constraints, the BOCC instructed County management to maintain FY07-08 funded agencies at the same level for FY08-09. As a result, EI Futuro, Inc. received no County appropriation in FY08-09. A total of ten (10) agency applicants fell into this category and HSAC recommended six (6) of them for some amount of funding from the County -Adolescent Pregnancy Coalition, Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA/Boomerang, EI Futuro, Inc., Extraordinary Ventures, Orange County Partnership for Young Children, TROSSA, and UNC-CH Department of Psychiatry. See Attachment C for complete list of HSAC recommendations from spring 2008. When EI Futuro, Inc. came before the BOCC with this special request on September 16, they described an urgent need to receive operating funds so direct services could be maintained, and the requirement also to demonstrate local financial support when seeking funds from outside donors and foundations. County management is sensitive to the circumstances of fledging non-profits, particularly those attempting to respond to mental health reform, but must advise of difficulties created when special requests like that of EI Futuro, Inc. occur outside the normal budget decision making process: • It deviates from an accepted practice whereby all agency grant applications are received, reviewed and recommended for award simultaneously and on a competitive basis • It suggests an element of political favoritism, a longstanding criticism of the grant award system • It opens the door to additional agencies coming forward throughout the budget year with their own individual appeals • In a year of strained and uncertain resources, it threatens contingent fund availability for County agencies that provide core human services FINANCIAL IMPACT: A total of $145,000 is currently available in the Safety Net and Critical Needs Reserve for FY08- 09. Attachment C provides a summary of how Safety Net and Critical Needs Reserve funds have been allocated by the BOCC since FY03 to FY08. The Reserve was originally created by the BOCC to address unanticipated, urgent needs or serious budgetary shortfalls created within the local human services network as a result of adverse actions at the state or federal level. Currently, the Governor has called for state agencies to cut back 3 percent of their appropriations. The net effect on County operations is still being evaluated . RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board deny the request pending from EI Futuro, Inc. for funding in FY08-09.