Back in 2000, pop singer Brittney Spears had a massive hit with“Oops...I Did It Again,"a song about carelessly toying with an admirer’s heart while having no intention of ever making a commitment.
“Oops, you think I’m in love, that I’m sent from above,” Spears croons, before switching to a harsher tone and adding: “I’m not that innocent.”
More: We're free to hang American flags upside-down. But it’s against what it stands for.
That refrain kept echoing through my head after therecent Sarasota County Commission meeting, during which commissioners once again disregarded the advice of their own advisory councils and threw out data they themselves had requested be included in the application process, to rejigger rankings for funding set aside for dozens of behavioral health and health and human services agencies.
For thesecond year in the row, shortly before the meeting began Commissioner Mike Moran presented his fellow board members with reconfigured spread sheets of applicants that altered the rankings provided by the commission-selected and volunteer Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) and Human Services Advisory Council (HSAC).
The councils’ rankings had been reached after months of assessment and included, at the direction of Moran, the addition of new financial information that would emphasize “quantitative” (objective) rather than “qualitative” (subjective) data.
Apparently, when those evaluations still didn’t come out the way Moran preferred – he admitted the financial measurements he’d requested were uneven and problematic -- he took the liberty to “adjust” the rankings himself. He even had the gall to ask the chair of HSAC, Jessica Tibbetts, why her committee had been “insecure” about making such changes themselves.
“It was our intent to give you as much power and authority as you could to just make good decisions,” said Moran, though that surely wasn’t the way most people recalled his previous directives. “You just wanted to take the raw scores you had and not take that liberty and power and authority to rank things maybe differently?”
When Tibbetts pointed out that using “just the numbers” was exactly what the board had requested last year, Moran peevishly said something about decisions being “laid back at our feet.” That said, he did not appear reluctant to make those decisions himself.
When the dust settled, among the organizations that were eliminated from HSAC applicants were the Early Learning Center's School Readiness program (child care); Harvest House (for the only emergency family shelter in North Sarasota County, which the county has funded for 10 years); United Way Suncoast (the “211” helpline); United Way of South Sarasota County (an eviction lifeline and diversion program) and Legal Aid of Manasota (pro bono legal services).
Of the altered BHAC rankings provided by Moran, Commissioner Neil Rainford suggested two organizations that fell below Moran’s scoring line for funding – Operation Warrior Resolution (veterans’ services) and the Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center (a pro-life agency serving expectant mothers and their partners) – be moved up, and that two others that originally scored high enough to receive funding – Harvest House (for a jail diversion program) and Big Brothers/Big Sisters (mentoring for children) – be moved down and zeroed out of funding.
On all but the Big Brothers/Big Sisters vote – which Commissioner Mark Smith, once a Big Brother himself, did not support – the commission ruled unanimously, 5-0.
Multiple rationales were offered to support the alterations. For example, commissioners vaguely applauded the “good work” of the agencies moved up on the list, while criticizing Harvest House, a faith-based organization, for not supplying a 990 financial form it is neither required, nor was requested, to file. (The organization submitted more extensive audit files instead.)
According to the board, the Early Learning Center’s child care program did not appropriately fall under the “safety” priority required for its application, though it’s hard to imagine how anyone could not see child care as a protective service and no one mentioned Moran’s prior stated opposition to funding child care,which he once referred to as “socialism.”
Commissioners had already made known theirobjection to funding any agency affiliated in any way with United WayNational (even minor administrative fees) because some affiliates (though not the United Way of South Sarasota County) have relationships with Planned Parenthood.
The commission’s curated eliminations will catalyze a “ripple effect," resulting in dire outcomes that could cost the county millions more in emergency services, crisis interventions and escalated incarcerations. The cuts will especially impact families and children said Erin Minor, CEO ofHarvest House.
“The entire system of care breaks down for struggling families when affordable child care, eviction resources and emergency shelter is not available,” she said. “The withdrawal of the county’s partnership represents a dangerous setback in providing essential safety nets.”
Throughout my tenure as a Herald-Tribune columnist, which has coincided with a tumultuous time of division in our county and our country, I’ve found one topic that provides common ground with readers of all political stripes: Our children. No matter what someone’s party affiliation, race, religion or cultural background, I’ve yet to talk to parent who didn’t want their child to be safe, healthy and given the early care and educational support that lays the foundation for a successful and productive life.
Sadly, I’ve also talked to parents who live in anguish and guilt because their children ended up falling through the cracks when they were unable to access the help they needed. Investing in services that stabilize families and get children off to a solid start produces paybacks that later-in-life assistance never can.
As a single mother going back to work when my son was 3, I remember how I struggled to find child care that was affordable, safe and nurturing. I remember the Big Brother who provided a stable, loving male presence in his life after his father moved away. I remember the foster children I took in on emergency placements when their unhoused families had nowhere to turn and how much they benefited from even a temporary period of stability. And I think about the lifeline I received from Planned Parenthood, which found coverage for me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer while without health insurance.
The commissioners’ funding decisions not only ignored the advice of their appointed “experts,” but defied their own stipulated process and rejected past evidence of success by previously funded agencies. What is the point of having an application process at all if the results can be readjusted to the preference of anyone with enough power to sway (or cow) fellow commissioners into acquiescing?
If that’s what you’re going to do, why toy with the lifeblood and heartstrings of so many dedicated “helpers” in our community in the first place? Just pick your favorites and be up front about it; you’ve already shown you have the power to do whatever you like anyway.
Yes, the commissioners did it again. But let’s be clear, there was no “oops” about it – no miscalculation, confusion or ineptness can explain this away. It’s pure and simple, arrogant and ruthless overreach, led by Moran, who has been eager to make his mark before term-limiting out of office this fall.
Rest assured, they’re not that innocent.
Contact Carrie Seidman atcarrie.seidman@gmail.comor 505-238-0392.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County's politicians play favorites in providing funds
