nonprofit organizations being included under Economic Development, and she
suggested offering them a $5,000 grant. Administrator Brown requested direction
from the Board due to the fact that nonprofit organizations were measured differently
than for-profit businesses. Commissioner Adams pointed out that the United Way
had funded 23 nonprofit organizations, and she agreed with the County Administrator
that a separate process for funding nonprofits would need to be established and voted
on at a future meeting. Commissioner Earman and Vice Chairman O'Bryan agreed,
with Vice Chairman O'Bryan adding that nonprofit organizations should reach out to
the United Way, who would be receiving an allocation under Community Support as
presented in staff's recommendation. Commissioner Moss disagreed with her fellow
Commissioners regarding nonprofits being excluded from the Economic Development
category.
Additional inquiries were made by Commissioner Moss regarding municipalities
receiving CARES Act funds in 2021 if they had returned unused funds at the end of
2020, and the dollar amount being budgeted for community education. Management
and Budget Director Kristin Daniels clarified that the proposed $45,000, an additional
need under BCC Expenses, Educational Campaigns, would bring the amount
available for community education to $90,000. Administrator Brown added that
funding would be available to provide additional assistance to the municipalities and
for outreach to the community, if necessary. Commissioner Moss resumed discussion
and received feedback from Administrator Brown about the degree of need and the
ability of the Treasure Coast Food Bank to distribute food throughout the County.
Commissioner Earman inquired with Administrator Brown about the United Way's
process of sorting/screening the local non-profit organizations.
Vice Chairman O'Bryan suggested that flyers be included with utility bills as another
way to inform the public about the available assistance programs to home owners,
tenants, and small businesses.
The Chairman opened the floor for public comment.
Deborah Cooney addressed the Board with comments regarding the United Way.
She also mentioned an issue she was having with uploading public comments and
sending emails to the County. Chairman Flescher informed Ms. Cooney that her
messages had been received.
Heather Stapleton, Executive Director, Vero Heritage, Inc. who stewards the
Heritage Center and operates the Indian River Citrus Museum, spoke on the financial
hit they had taken due to the vast number of rental cancellations caused by
COVID-19. She encouraged the Board to have a discussion in the near future
regarding offering assistance to unique nonprofit organizations that were not direct
service providers.