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Nonprofits and youth groups urge Bradford County to preserve funding for events and services
Summary
At the June 17 meeting several community organizations outlined programs, budgets and specific funding requests as the board prepares its next fiscal year budget.
Multiple community organizations addressed the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners on June 17 to request continued or expanded funding and to describe the services their programs provide.
Representatives from the Arc of Bradford County, the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, UF/IFAS 4‑H, the Bradford Cowboys Athletic Association, the Soil and Water Conservation District and Acorn Clinic spoke during the community organizations portion of the agenda. The presentations highlighted social services, youth events and economic activity tied to county facilities and fairs.
John Williams, with the Arc of Bradford County, said the Arc operates three group homes, two day programs and transportation services and reported an organizational budget near $3,000,000. He noted the Arc depends on local matching funds for Medicaid‑waiver day programs and described food distributions and the Community Resource Hub operated at the Old Hampton Elementary School.
Lizzie Whitehead, UF/IFAS Bradford County livestock agent and beef bash coordinator, asked the county to continue support for an annual youth agricultural show and said last year’s event drew about 550 attendees and roughly 150 head of cattle; she requested $2,500 for the upcoming event.
Rodney Moseley, representing the Bradford Cowboys Athletic Association, described a longstanding youth‑sports program and asked the board for a $15,000 contribution to help cover uniforms, safety equipment and operating costs for the coming year.
Tina Lloyd, executive director of Acorn Clinic, requested $25,000 from the county to support clinic operations and said the clinic “loses $83 for every patient that sits in the chair,” citing Medicaid and sliding‑fee billing constraints. Lloyd also said she is pursuing grants and local fundraising to support the nonprofit dental clinic.
Pam of the North Florida Regional Chamber asked the board to restore or continue a longstanding county contribution of $9,375 that the chamber has historically received to support economic‑development work and tourism promotion.
Soil and Water Conservation District presenters outlined volunteer programs, water‑quality sampling and outreach and said a modest county contribution helps leverage federal and state technical assistance and grants.
Commissioners thanked the presenters and said staff will consider the requests during the upcoming budget process and at the July 1 budget workshop.
