Pinellas Office of Human Rights seeks increased interpretation funding as director announces retirement

The Pinellas County Office of Human Rights asked commissioners to approve a FY26 operating budget of just under $1,500,000 funded entirely from the general fund and outlined three decision packages that are included in that total: interpretation services, replacement computer equipment and a small increase in postage.

The office’s executive director, Jeffrey Lorrick, told the commission the office has “strong relationships” with federal partners — including HUD and the EEOC — and has passed audits and “substantially equivalent” reviews that let the county investigate civil‑rights complaints on behalf of federal agencies. The board also heard from the new chair of the Office of Human Rights Board, who said the board unanimously recommended the budget and explained the postage increase: the office is legally required to mail certain notices, and an uptick in claims has driven higher postage costs.

Why it matters: commissioners pressed the office on how mandatory services fit within the county’s larger general‑fund gap. Commissioner Wiki and others asked whether the decision packages — notably interpretation services required under federal civil‑rights rules (Title VI/limited English proficiency obligations) — could be deferred given a reported countywide budget shortfall. Staff replied that interpretation is a legal obligation tied to Title VI and that costs would only be spent if the need arose.

Details: Lorrick said revenues for the office — largely reimbursements for investigations performed on behalf of HUD and the EEOC — have decreased in the FY26 request “out of an abundance of caution.” He reported the office typically receives substantial federal reimbursements for investigations (he cited roughly $200,000 from HUD and about $8,090,000 from EEOC in an example), but that the FY26 figures assume reduced referrals compared with recent years. The office’s FTE remains unchanged at 10; personnel services are increasing slightly because of retirement/FRS adjustments, and operating costs rise largely for new interpretation services and computer equipment that previously had been grant‑funded.

Context and follow up: Commissioners asked the office to review its web presence after a constituent complaint about site navigation, and noted that any decision packages remain subject to internal reconciliation as the county balances its FY26 budget. Lorrick also announced his retirement during the presentation; he was acknowledged by commissioners for his service.

Ending: Commissioners asked OMB and the office for clarifications on the reimbursements reported in the budget back‑up and for any possible internal efficiencies, while staff emphasized that certain items — notably required interpretation for limited English proficiency — are legal obligations and cannot be delayed if needed.