The Regular Meeting of the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) turned into a standoff over government funding to local non-profit organizations on December 13th.
The county’s budget has over $600,000 to dole out to non-profits. The county’s referee, the United Way, is contracted to sort through submitting organizations’ applications and make recommendations for funding to the BOCC. The problem, the BOCC received $1 Million In requests over their budget.
Before the meeting, The Council of Aging of St. Lucie County (COASL) received notification that the BOCC is cutting its funding in 2023. The organization says it assists thousands of seniors and their caregivers in their efforts to meet their activities of daily living and greatly improve their quality of life. The Vice Chair of the BOCC, Linda Bartz, serves on the Board of Directors for COASL.
In a press release on December 8th, COASLC warned that losing $190,000 from the BOCC jeopardizes their ability to receive $1.9 Million in federal funding.
The Director of the county’s Legislative Affairs Office checked with the Department of Elder Affairs and reported different. “There is no requirement that the county has to give them the $190,000 to receive federal funds,” Nichole Fogarty said. "Council on Aging was not the only non-profit that didn't receive funding this year,” Commissioner Cathy Townsend, BOCC Chair, added.
To protect tax dollars, United Way’s process to select
funding recipients includes investigating applications for fiscal responsibility and transparency. “We focus on things that benefit the community,” Commissioner Chris Dzadvosky said.
Chair Towsend suggested that non-profits should be required to fundraise to match county funding and not rely solely on taxpayer dollars. “They are businesses with paid CEOs and employees and need to be held accountable.”
Under CEO Darrell Drummond's leadership, following a 2019 audit, the BOCC cut ties with the COAL Community Transit Division to operate the Treasure Coast Connector bus lines in St. Lucie County. Auditors reported a lack of oversight at COAL with a "risk for potential overpayment" due to a lack of documentation produced during the review.
When the time came to vote to approve the consent agenda to provide 18 non-profits with funding, Commissioner Larry Leet motioned to approve. No Commissioner would second it.
Also cut from this year’s county’s windfall Special Olympics, Treasure Coast Food Bank, The Salvation Army, United Against Poverty, and The Arc of St. Lucie County. County staff recommended giving Graceway Village, Mustard Seed Ministries, and RITELIFE Services over $50,000 each.
Without passing the agenda item, 18 non-profits would not receive the funding they expected in January to keep their programs afloat.
And after some discussion, Chair Townsend passed the gavel to Vice Chair Bartz and motioned to approve the funding.
“Can I pass it back to you,” Bartz asked Townsend? “I know there is a child’s game that does this," Bartz continued.
In response, Commissioner Townsend suggested the BOCC discuss the matter further at an informal meeting in February before restating the motion, which Commissioner Dzadovsky seconded and the BOCC eventually voted on unanimously.
"Congratulations to the non-profits,” Chair Townsend said after the funding was approved.
