The Hamilton County Commission heard pleas Tuesday from a social services agency at risk of eventually losing all of its county funding.
During its second day of budget hearings, the commission heard recommendations from the Children's Services Advisory Committee that it should cut funding for the Children's Home Chambliss Shelter's emergency shelter in half this year and cut off funding entirely after June 30, 2011. The facility houses boys who have been put in state custody.
PDF: Budget hearing
Judi Byrd, county director of social services, said the county is trying to move away from subsidizing a program for children who are wards of the state.
"We want to work with the Children's Home, we think they do splendid work in extended child care ... but we believe that they really have not heard what we have presented to you and to them," committee Chairwoman Mai Bell Hurley told commissioners.
Phil Acord, president and chief executive of the group, said the directors of the Chambliss Home heard it. They just disagree.
"These are Hamilton County children," he said. The commissioners are "saying, 'We don't have a responsibility anymore.' I contend that they do."
The program can't function without county support, Mr. Acord said.
Ms. Byrd said the committee has recommended the commission fully fund two other Children's Home Chambliss Shelter programs this year: A 3.8 percent increase for the extended child care program and maintain funding for the Maurice Kirby Child Care program.
But Mr. Acord disagrees with the suggestion to reduce funding for the Children's Home Chambliss Shelter to $97,660.
The commission may discuss the matter further with the advisory committee. But commissioners remain non-committal in a year in which they've asked everyone to not ask for too much in their budget requests.
"I can see a need for that," Commissioner Larry Henry said. "I can see a need for all of them."
Mayor Claude Ramsey said the commission has typically followed the advisory committee's recommendations. Commissioner Warren Mackey said if the agency is cut, churches and other agencies will have to pick up the slack.
"I don't want to do it, but if it's absolutely necessary, we'll have to do it," Mr. Mackey said.
Not much else of note came out of Tuesday's budget hearing, the second day in which agencies and departments presented budgets adhered to the county commission's advice for the week: Don't ask for more and, commisioners won't have to say, "no."
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