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Your assistance in this matter is very much appreciated. Please contact me by telephone at 567- 4311, ext. 1617 or FAX at 5634770 if you have any questions or need further information. Sincerely, (C4) Richard H. Johnson Co -Chairman VISIONS for Indian River County c/o Volunteer Action Center P.S. I anticipate acquiring letters of support for our project from various county groups over the next several days and plan on bringing copies of those letters to the Commission meeting on September 16". Richard Johnson, Co -Chairman of VISIONS for Indian River County, explained that the purpose of the organization is to gain feedback from the community as to the needs of the county and visions for its future. A workshop was held in 1992 with feedback obtained from 140 citizens compiled in a report. They are planning a 1 -day workshop for March, 1998 as well as several town hall meetings. The organization received $6,000 from the Board in 1992 and they estimate a need for the coming year of a total budget of $32,200, of which they are requesting that the Board fund $9,000. Mr. Johnson felt that the organization had been influential in the establishment of the Fellsmere Clinic, Gifford Health Center, WeeCare, Healthy Start, Well Baby Clinic, Health on Wheels, and Community Care Network, as well as volunteer training workshops, bike paths, the PEP reef, job training, and truancy court. They are also being supported by the City of Vero Beach, Indian River Memorial Hospital, Volunteer Action Center, Taxpayers Association, and Indian River Community College. Jeff Meyer, 541 1& Court, of VISIONS SubCommittee on Funding noted that they are also talking to local corporations for in-kind and cash contributions. Chairman Eggert expressed some amazement and had mixed emotions about the results of the Visions workshop but was nevertheless gratified that so much had been accomplished. She questioned the objectives of the organization in the community. Jamie Jackson, 2150 Oyster Bay Drive, explained that she assists VISIONS with public relations and the organization needs funding to communicate with the public; such as letter writing, advertising for meetings, building awareness in the community, posters to get people to meetings and to follow up. Commissioner Adams questioned where the money would come from, and County Administrator Jim Chandler responded that the funds would have to come from general fund contingency for the new fiscal year. This organization had made a request in August of this year but was not recommended for funding by staff. SEPTEMBER 16, 1997 23 &C"'K