Author: WMOI/WRAM Intern Ethan Potter
The Warren County 708 Board helps provide funding to local organizations that offer mental health and disability services.
The board currently distributes around $526,000 to four local organizations and is now considering a combined request from Eagle View and the Recharge Teen Center.
Board Chair Brandon Ouellette says adding more programs will make it tougher to fully fund every request.
“It’s tough because we as an organization have no overhead. There’s no extra costs. Basically, what comes in goes out, and we’ve been very fortunate in the past that we’ve been able to fully fund requests from our organizations. But as new organizations come in and as things change, that’s going to be harder to do. So we’re going to have to be a bit more discerning in how to move forward.”
Board Member Lyman Schar shares what would need to happen next.
“We’re going to try to grow that amount, but it first would need to be approved by the county board for a budget increase. Then the 708 Board will decide how to allocate those funds. The Teen Center and Eagle View’s combined request for consideration is about $170,000, and that might be difficult to reach in one fell swoop.”
The 708 Board currently funds Warren Achievement, Bridgeway, Rainbow Riders, and Special Needs Athletics Programs.
