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SCTAS Funding in Jeopardy
The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), where SCTAS funding is allocated, has proposed cutting the $350,000 allocated for its funding. These cuts are in response to the state's $1.5 billion revenue short fall and upon direction from the Governor of all state agencies to propose 10% across the board cuts.
Many small counties rely on this funding not only for technical assistance but for educational scholarships that pay for registration fees to the County Commissioners Certification (CCC) and Advanced County Commissioner education (ACC) programs. FAC will fight to keep SCTAS funding and our legislative team and the Small County Coalition have included SCTAS on their list of priorities. In addition, each Commissioner is encouraged discuss the benefits of the SCTAS program and the need to continue to fund this program when talking with Legislators.
In the meantime, FAC will to continue to operate as though funds will be allocated for SCTAS. Next week, FAC is expected to receive an advance of $84,000. This advance will fund the first quarter (July 1 - September 30) of the 2007-2008 cycle. Having these funds will allow FAC to retain Jim Parrish's services as Program Manager, pay SCTAS scholarships for the new ACC series, pay the registration fees for small counties to attend upcoming CCC workshop in September on Growth Management, and other services to small counties.
FAC also plans to move forward with the application [PDF] process for the 2007-2008 SCTAS special projects. If funds are reinstated, FAC will move forward without major delays. FAC will notify all small counties in mid-October on the status of their applications and whether or not funds are available.