10/19/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chairman Ginn remarked that many of the homeless have mental and emotional problems which are served by the Council. Commissioner Lowther questioned why Sunshine Rehabilitation was told to “go back and run like a business” when they asked for an extension of their $10 annual lease. Commissioner Macht responded that the comparison is not compatible in that Sunshine’s patients would have no claim on the County regarding the services received from Sunshine, whereas the services provided by the Council would fall back on the County should the Council not provide them. Commissioner Lowther preferred that the item be deferred until the new Board is sitting, and Chairman Ginn did not believe it necessary to postpone this action. Commissioner Macht explained further that in order for an agency to be designated as “quasi-nonprofit” there have to be reciprocal benefits. In the case of the Council, they have taken a County-owned building and improved it and used it to shelter other organizations which provide services to the public. As an example, the Council was able to obtain $70,000 to provide a dental benefit through the Health Department, as well as a half-million dollar computer system that tracks services being offered in the County. Chairman Ginn remarked that we now have a continuum of service to get people back on their feet and what we do to the least of these determines whether we are humane or not. The Council has brought a lot of monies into the community. Gary Wheeler, The Sanctuary, also questioned why the matter is coming before the Board today when the policy says that the information is to be in sometime in March. Commissioner Lowther continued to question the terminology “quasi-nonprofit” and objected to their being guaranteed funding. ON MOTION by Commissioner Neuberger, SECONDED by Commissioner Adams, the Board, by a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Lowther opposed) approved changing the funding status of Treasure Coast OCTOBER 19, 2004 39