Having some experience in the local non-profit world, most of the non-profits act as a defacto subcontractors to the county. They provide additional, but mainly tertiary services, that are either not a mandated service or done cheaper by the non-profit.

They typically work with residents to maintain stability and productivity. They also work as advocates to ensure continuity of care with county mental health, public health and the local state Department of Human Services.

Fundraising for these agencies is a challenge, but the better ones, Ozone and Catholic Social Services are structured to weather this type of economic storm. There are others, which probably will not and quite frankly should simply close.

We covered the issue in more detail in an article about the county board’s June 3 meeting – search for the section “Resolution 3: Funding for nonprofit agencies”.

It came up again during budget discussions at the board’s July 8 meeting, when commissioner Leah Gunn proposed an alternative approach.

Something else that jumped out at me was on this page.

There’s almost 1 million dollars going to severance. What other potential severance liabilities have been entered into and can something be done to stop the practice of severance from public office in this county? No reason for it.

And I did read the Times Alabama article. And evey elected county and city official should as well.

I think that the combined leadership among that group is not terribly impressive.