AGENDA #5a

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            Human Services Advisory Board

                        Lew Borman, Chair

 

SUBJECT:       2003-2004 Funding Level Recommendation

 

DATE:             April 14, 2003

 

 

The purpose of this memorandum is to present a recommendation for total funding for human services for fiscal year 2003-2004.

 

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 $294,566. In addition to reviewing the written applications, the Board has scheduled six 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 2003 to the Town Council, the Human Services Advisory Board identified as priorities:

 

• parent and individual support toward self-sufficiency
• substance abuse/mental health treatment
• services for at-risk youth.

 

In the Budget Work Session held February 12, the Board reported on the effect of budget cuts and difficult economic times on local human service agencies and the people they serve. For example, the United Way, a major funding source for many agencies, has advised them to prepare for substantial reductions. Most of the local agencies operate on a limited budget and even small reductions in funds and decreases in contributions affect their ability to provide services. Many agencies have had to cut staff and are in danger of reducing services. Based on these reports, the Board asked the Council to consider a slight increase in human services funding for next fiscal 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, the Board was asked about review of human service funding requests that may emerge outside of the regular budget cycle. The Board is prepared to review requests and formulate recommendations on issues referred by the Town Council. 

RECOMMENDATION

 

The Human Services Advisory Board recommends that the Council increase the level of funding for fiscal year 2003-04 by five percent bringing the total to $205,800.

 

2003 Human Services Advisory Board

Lew Borman, Chair

Bill Powers, Vice-Chair

Larry Daquioag

Julie Pace

Mary Reeb

Gary Wallach