Carroll county government spends approximately $2.6 million annually helping fund nonprofits, but the commissioners have indicated that they want to reduce that amount by 3 percent. While this would save the county about $80,000 annually, it would dramatically hinder 11 nonprofits' ability to leverage some $35 million in services for 25,000 Carroll County residents.
Human Services Programs of Carroll County is one of the 11 nonprofits that receive funding from county government. The exact allocation is $796,390, and it represents the only unrestricted money HSP has in its budget.
As an agency that serves more than 12,200 of Carroll County's low income and at-risk residents, these dollars are critical.
Nearly $453,000 of that allocation affords us the ability to match money to secure more than $5.5 million in grants and grant funded programming. Of that number, $5.25 million goes directly to providing services and client benefits.
The remaining $343,681 is used to help support our administration and operations. These are dollars that are necessary to maintain our agency's infrastructure, which includes IT, auditing/accounting, liability, health, unemployment and business insurances, salaries and payroll taxes. These are important dollars as they support the infrastructure that comprises 83 employees (40 full time, 43 part time), 20-plus programs and 20-plus funding sources.
It is difficult to fathom the possibility of another cut. Just in the last fiscal year, HSP lost a little more than $280,000 in grant funding for programming and direct service. A 3 percent cut from Carroll County government would mean losing approximately $24,000. This cut in funding would translate into the leveraged loss of nearly $175,000 in services to Carroll County citizens.
Our services are diverse and specifically aimed at assisting individuals to improve their life situations and remain self-sufficient. More than 75 percent of the services we provide are those that keep people in their homes. Each day, we work with seniors on fixed incomes, individuals who are disabled, people who are struggling with addictions and mental health issues and families who are working multiple jobs, trying to make a living wage.
HSP is the county's only community action agency, and we work extremely hard to fight poverty and prevent homelessness. Last year alone we were able to keep 521 individuals from becoming homeless. Another 1,473 households were able to keep their heat on, their lights on and retain water and sewer service. We were also able to help 3,440 households with their applications that were processed for assistance through the Office of Home Energy Programs.
As I stated earlier, HSP is just one of 11 nonprofits receiving some level of funding from county government. On April 30, at 7 p.m. in the K building, Room 100 at Carroll Community College, a Carroll County commissioner candidate forum will be held. The forum will focus on nonprofit work in the community. All county commissioner candidates have been invited to attend and will have the opportunity to answer questions related to this important sector in our community.
The forum will be moderated by Dr. Herb Smith, of McDaniel College, and Steve Geppi, of Carroll Community College.
