Commission not ready to commit any funding to homelessness program

For the second time in three months, the Sarasota County Commission told Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness officials it’s not prepared to give the organization a firm financial commitment at this time.

At its Friday, June 15 budget workshop, commissioners heard an update from Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness Executive Director Richard Martin during their public comment portion of the meeting.

Martin again asked for three years’ of funding for a $60,000 annual director position and a $15,000 financial commitment from the county for the group. Also, for the first time, the group announced it’s transforming a South Sarasota County building in Venice into a one-stop homelessness center.

The group reported it has $3.6 million in assets with little debt and firm commitments for both private and community organization donations, but group leaders suggested it needed money from Sarasota County, first, before those donations would start being made.

The commission, however, unanimously directed County Administrator Randall Reid to work with the group to review a more detailed financial plan and a list of concrete financial commitments that the group will receive before it considers allocating taxpayer dollars to the newly formed organization.

“There’s no doubt I understand the issues folks are facing in South County,” said Commission Chairwoman and South County resident Christine Robinson. “But, I have to be responsible with what I’m doing with this money and this isn’t a ripe discussion, yet, for an allocation of funds.”

The rest of the commissioners agreed.

Commissioner Joe Barbetta said he wants to make sure the entire county and other local organizations are on board with this concept.

“I want to hear from others that they believe in this concept and know it will work,” Barbetta said. “I also don’t want an extra layer of bureaucracy out there and a director just moving people around when that money could go into the services offered.”