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<br />with funding (to find statistics and demographics) and could pool the information and save money. <br /> A comprehensive plan would provide a clearer assessment of needs and overlapping services in the <br />community. Such a plan could be made available to a lot of organizations to provide information, <br />enable them to apply for grants, and take some of the tax burden off the County. They would like <br />to explore this idea to see if it will be acceptable. <br />Tom Brown <br />, CEO of Indian River County United Way, advised that the United <br />Way definitely supports the concept. It would be helpful to UW and the entire community by <br />pinpointing unmet needs so UW can channel its funds to provide more of an impact on the needs of <br />the citizens. UW is willing to financially support the study in an appropriate amount in proportion <br />to the other agencies involved. <br />Chairman Ginn asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak, there were none. <br />She then stated that it would be impossible for us to act under our ordinance and guidelines which <br />is defined to be services for children up to 18 years of age. <br />Ms. Maurer <br /> explained this would be a steering committee and would not take <br />anything away from the needs assessment committee. <br />Commissioner Macht suggested that our contribution could be specific to whatever <br />tenets we choose to put on it. This idea was discussed several years ago with the former director <br />of United Way and others in the community and they generally agreed it would be a more economic <br />and comprehensive way to do it. He believed we could structure the County’s participation in <br />whatever way our ordinance requires. <br />Commissioner Adams thought this would be beneficial. <br />Chairman Ginn disagreed because she viewed it as expanding the scope and we <br />already have an up-to-date needs assessment and we have not even begun to fulfill all the unmet <br />needs. She continued to cite additional reasons for her opposition. <br />Commissioner Macht understood Chairman Ginn’s objections but felt that an overall <br />study would be beneficial to the children and the community and this request is just to explore <br />January 13, 2004 15 <br /> <br />