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Nonprofit leaders warn 50% cuts could shutter services as commissioners approve HSAB contracts
Summary
Public commenters and agency staff told commissioners that planned HSAB funding cuts put nonprofits at risk; the board approved FY2026 human-service contracts that staff said total $924,522 (HSAB-funded amount $1,101,613) while some nonprofits will face cuts.
During the board’s budget hearing, multiple public commenters warned that proposed cuts to Human Services Advisory Board (HSAB) funding will imperil local nonprofits. Isabella McLean (S10), representing Planning With Love and speaking as a Monroe County planner and Key Largo resident, urged commissioners to reconsider cuts and to pilot a resiliency task-force grant pool in January to support community nonprofits facing FEMA uncertainties. McLean asked the board to "reconvene in January after the state Doge priorities report is released to reevaluate the budget and consider piloting this framework in preparation for the next fiscal year."
Sherry Schwab (S12), executive director/CEO of the county’s domestic abuse shelter, testified that a 50% funding cut to HSAB-supported programs would force the shelter to eliminate outreach services and may prevent her program from surviving. "Some of these nonprofits are not gonna survive this cut. My program will not survive that cut," Schwab said. Despite those warnings, the board approved several HSAB-funded contracts as presented: staff counted $924,522 in contracts being approved on the agenda while noting the total HSAB-funded amount is $1,101,613; certain agreements were approved separately to address voting conflicts.
