{"id":92899,"date":"2025-12-22T20:58:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/92899\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T20:58:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:58:07","slug":"leon-county-leaders-say-social-services-money-could-be-slashed-if-property-tax-cut-proposals-pass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/92899\/","title":{"rendered":"Leon County leaders say social services money could be slashed if property tax cut proposals pass"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County leaders say they don\u2019t want to be alarmist, but they also have to be realistic: money they give to social service agencies serving the homeless and underprivileged could be slashed depending on how deeply the state legislature cuts taxes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor said the county has about $5 million in a pot of money called the Community Human Services Partnership (CHSP). That money flows from property taxes and is then distributed through an application process.<\/p>\n

CHSP funds are part of the budget for social service organizations like Good News Outreach, which uses the money to deliver food to seniors, run a food pantry and host a transitional housing program.<\/p>\n

Talethia Edwards, the executive director, said losing that money would be detrimental to operations and leave them with a funding gap. That gap is increasingly difficult to fill, she said, because private donors are also feeling the strain of the economy.<\/p>\n

Florida politics:<\/p>\n

Proctor said the county is waiting to see which property tax proposal gains steam in the legislature, because the amount of revenue reduced will be passed onto the formula to determine human services money. He said there\u2019s often \u201cmore thunder than lightning,\u201d meaning the legislature may talk of a larger cut but pass a smaller one.<\/p>\n

The county commission previously voted 5-1 to enter into an MOU with the City of Tallahassee regarding the CHSP money to \u201capprove the proposed realignment of Leon County funding in the Community Human Services Partnership for line-item funding to the emergency homeless shelters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The commission deferred a second part of the county staff\u2019s recommendation to March. That option is to \u201cauthorize the County Administrator to amend and execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Tallahassee on the Community Human Services Partnership to establish minimum funding awards, eliminate funding caps, and perform administrative updates, subject to legal review by the County Attorney.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proctor said in his opinion, the realignment would require social service organizations to first seek funding<\/a> from the Children\u2019s Services Council (CSC) of Leon County. Then, the county can evaluate if the remaining CHSP funds should be used.<\/p>\n

Tune into Eyewitness News at 5 and 6 p.m. for the full story. This article will be updated later this evening with more details. <\/p>\n

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