7-20-2020 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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V. OLD BUSINESS V.A Request for Reconsideration of Contribution to Homeless Initiatives The Interlocal Committee Meeting met on July 8, 2020 and City of Sanford Mayor Chet Mann asked for the Board of Commissioner's reconsideration of allocating funds for the homelessness initiative. The City had submitted a total budget for homelessness initiatives of$82,000 and requested $41,000 from the County. In the 2021 budget, $10,000 was recommended for the Rapid Rehousing Program sponsored by Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action which helps people move into low income housing. The request to reconsider is for$31,000 that would cover requests from Bread of Life Ministries the total of which was $47,000 which would cover their operation, a case manager, and a day service center, and additionally S3 Connect's Annual Contract and a homelessness event. After learning more about the request, there was discussion about the ways the County provides for the homeless. There were 354 children identified as homeless by the schools, and the families are assisted by DSS to make sure the children are taken care of and getting the services they need. 1,200 people are estimated to currently receive food stamps from the County that are considered homeless. Other services include food and nutrition, Medicaid and Medicare assistance, child protective services works with families that are homeless when the families are in need of long-term shelter, and Workfirst provides cash assistance and employment services to help them obtain employment. The health department does not track homelessness, but they provide services for child health, primary care health, maternal health, adult health, communicable diseases, and issues WIC vouchers to help with nutritional needs. Senior Services help senior citizens that are homeless and help identify options. Last year they helped about 12 families with those services. Several veterans that are assisted through Veteran Services Office are homeless. The County spends $83,688 to run the Veterans Services office and gets zero support from other sources. COLTS provides services for transportation. Lee County Industries, JLCCA, Haven, Boys and Girls Club, and Family Promise are some of the nonprofits in the community that aide homeless families in the community. Commissioner Reives mentioned that he heard the City voice concerns about the renovations planned at Horton Park specifically around the swimming pool and stated he would like the Board to consider a motion to transfer Horton Park to the City if there is an interest. Commissioner Reives stated his greatest concern is the schools. There will be a lot of sanitizing going on and the people doing that job will be doing double duty. County Manager John Crumpton noted the expenses associated with renovating the pool at Horton Park, which was previously quoted at $500,000+ for the pool and pool house. The pool previously received little use and was difficult to hire lifeguards for. Dr. Crumpton mentioned that other projects have been proposed for the pool site including a skate park and a splash pad that has recently received interest. As far as the impact to Phase I, Dr. Crumpton stated that the County would be obligated to apply the funds due to the bond requirements. Commissioner Reives proposed negotiating the transfer of the pool area to the City of Sanford. Commissioner Sharpe reminded the Board that he is the Board's liaison to S3 Connect and as such would like the Board to consider the City's request for an additional allocation to the homeless initiative. Summary of Requests for Homelessness - City and County 4-3-2020.xlsx