33 Social Programs On The Chopping Block
The Chief Fiscal Officer of Onondaga County came before county lawmakers with grim news Monday. Jim Rowley has to find ways to cut $10.7 million to balance the county budget. That means hard choices.
Already, County Executive Joanie Mahoney has decided not to contract with 33 private and not for profit agencies that provide social service programs to save $1.7 million. "She's still maintaining core functions in the social services area and she's cutting out what we believe is nice to do's", Rowley told Action News.
One of those "nice to do's" is the bail expeditor program run by Catholic Charities. It helps those charged with low level crimes to get out of jail, but all $101,000 for the program has just been cut out of the budget.
"We understand how the cut was made, we understand the rationale for it," said Michael Melara, Executive Director of Catholic Charities, "but it puts us in a spot where we have to scramble to keep it going."
So far, the bail expeditor program is the only service provided by Catholic Charities that has been hit by the county budget axe. But, Catholic Charities offers many other programs for the disadvantaged. Onondaga County funds 28 percent of the organization's $12.5 million budget. "I continue to worry how Catholic Charities and all the social service agencies will make it through this year." said Melara.
Click the link below to see documents on the budget impact for these agency contracts.
