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Citrus County to use short-term local funds after Nature Coast Volunteer Center loses federal grant
Summary
The county will authorize remaining local matching funds so the Nature Coast Volunteer Center can operate through September while staff seeks alternative grants; commissioners asked for a July update.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on May 13 approved using the remainder of budgeted local matching funds to keep the Nature Coast Volunteer Center operating through Sept. 30 after the program’s federal AmeriCorps-related grant was not renewed.
Why it matters: The volunteer center coordinates hundreds of volunteers who serve local nonprofits and runs community programs such as Meals on Wheels check-ins and volunteer recruitment. Grant funding loss would have cut staff and services used by older and vulnerable residents.
County staff briefed the board that the volunteer center previously received an AmeriCorps grant but was notified last week that the application was not selected this cycle. County Community Services Director Eric Head told commissioners the center currently has about $68,003.14 budgeted as the local cash match in fiscal 2025, while the grant historically covered about $126,009.95 in program costs. Head said continuing the program without a new grant would require approximately $195,003.09 for fiscal 2026 staffing and operating costs and immediate use of $38,789 (figure read aloud at the meeting) to cover June–September operations.
Commissioner Jeff Kennard made a motion to allow use of the remaining budgeted 2025 cash-match funds to keep the program operating through Sept. 30; Commissioner Janet Barrick seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously.
Board direction and next steps: Commissioners directed staff to pursue alternative funding sources and to report back. Commissioner Diana Fenigan suggested asking state or foundation partners whether a short-cycle award was available; Commissioner Kennard urged outreach to local agencies that rely on volunteer hours. County staff and partners said the center has historically provided administrative back-office services that include volunteer vetting, insurance for volunteers and data reporting.
The board agreed to revisit the item at a future meeting, asking staff for an update in July and for information about the state-level grant cycle and other possible funders. County staff said they will also analyze whether county general funds could sustain the program longer-term and whether partner agencies could absorb coordination duties temporarily.
Ending: Commissioners framed the decision as a stopgap to prevent service disruption while staff searches for replacement grant funding; they emphasized the county’s interest in preserving Meals on Wheels deliveries and other volunteer-supported services.
