AGENDA #5c
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Human Services Advisory Board
Bill Powers, Chair
SUBJECT: 2005-2006 Funding Level Recommendation
DATE: April 25, 2005
The purpose of this memorandum is to present a recommendation for total funding for human services for fiscal year 2005-2006.
DISCUSSION
Each year the Human Services Advisory Board presents a recommendation for funding human services to the Town Council as part of the budget process. The Chair of the Human Services Advisory Board attended the March 23 Public Forum on Budget and Related Items. At that meeting the Board recommended the Council consider allocating a fixed percentage of the town operating budget each year for human services. The Board has received 44 requests from local nonprofit human service agencies, totaling $321,825. In addition to reviewing the written applications, the Board scheduled seven weeks of hearings this spring for agencies to present their proposals. The Board will present specific agency allocation recommendations to the Town Council in June.
For fiscal year 2004-2005, the Town Council approved human service allocations that totaled $206,000 and these funds were distributed among 41 agencies. Last year because of budget constraints, there was no increase in funding from the previous year for human services agencies. The Board is concerned that many agencies are experiencing budget cuts from other funding sources and reduction in services may result. The Board recognizes the challenges the Council is facing with the budget this year, but requests the Council continue to support these agencies.
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Services Advisory Board recommends that the Council increase the level of human service funding for fiscal year 2005-06 to a total of $225,000.
2005 Human Services Advisory Board
Bill Powers, Chair
Julie Pace, Vice-Chair
Virginia Brown Larry Daquioag
Glenn Gerding Ernest Roberts
Gary Wallach