AGENDA #5a

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            Human Services Advisory Board

SUBJECT:       2002-2003 Funding Recommendation

DATE:             April 8, 2002

The purpose of this memorandum is to present a recommendation for total funding for human services for fiscal year 2002-2003.

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. This year the Human Services Advisory Board received 36 requests from local nonprofit human service agencies, totaling $316,396. In addition to reviewing the written applications, the Board has 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.

In the Needs Report presented in January 2002 to the Town Council, the Human Services Advisory Board identified as priorities parent and individual support toward self-sufficiency, substance abuse treatment, and services for youth. The Board also noted the high cost of housing, childcare and the increasing population of Latinos as issues that continue to affect our community.

The Board acknowledges the difficult funding decisions facing the Town Council this fiscal year. The State budget crisis and the struggling economy have placed a burden on local governments, agencies and individual citizens. It is the view of the Board that agencies, therefore, are likely to experience decreasing resources and increases in service demands over the coming year.

Last year the Town Council approved human service allocations that totaled $196,000 and these funds were distributed among 33 agencies. In the Budget Work Session held February 20, the Board asked the Town Council to seek ways to continue to support human service programs. The Human Services Advisory Board appreciates the continued Town support for human service agencies that serve Chapel Hill residents.

RECOMMENDATION

The Human Services Advisory Board recommends that the Council maintain the level of funding for FY 2002-03 at $196,000.  Human Services Advisory Board Members:  Chair, Lew Borman, Vice-Chair Harriet Crisp, Larry Daquioag, Bryan Lange, Julie Pace, William Powers, and Mary Reeb.