Public commenter urges clearer budget reporting; offers spreadsheet to board

A resident who identified himself as Mr. Waldo used public comment time Oct. 14 to press the Escambia Children’s Trust on public-facing financial transparency, urging the board to put clear budget and year-to-date figures on its website.

Waldo said he had investigated the trust’s public materials after seeing a negative news item and that his review of materials available online and in staff briefings led him to a different conclusion than previous media reports. ‘‘The determination that it is approximately 25% of the monies is actually for salaries, benefit, and admin expenses,’’ Waldo said, adding that the higher figures he had seen earlier were incorrect. ‘‘Therefore, the 5888% was grossly wrong. And I apologize for saying that you all were grossly mismanaging,’’ he told the board.

Waldo said the trust’s site contains extensive demographic reporting but insufficient, easily located budgeting data. He told the board he could not find clear year-to-date figures for 2025 and challenged trustees to try to locate the planned and actual budgets for 2024 and 2025 using the public site. He said his spreadsheet summary—left with staff—should help the public and trustees find the numbers more easily.

Board members thanked Waldo for the research and several encouraged him to participate in grant-review discussions and future site design. Communications staff and the board noted they had already begun a website redesign and that the new site includes an ‘‘impact reports’’ page, monthly taxpayer funds reporting and a new frequently asked questions page.

Ending: The trust’s staff accepted Waldo—s summary and said the website redesign work will continue; board members encouraged more public input and suggested the commenter collaborate on future grant or website reviews.