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Majority of Citrus projects approved
The governor rejects funding for a youth mental health treatment center, but other local projects survive.
By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published May 26, 2006
Gov. Jeb Bush wielded his veto pen on Thursday, but the results were mostly good for Citrus County projects.
Bush approved $2.5-million for the new emergency operations center, $2-million for the Chassahowitzka sewer and water projects, $85,000 for the Nokomis Point sewer project, and $20-million for social service agencies, including one that serves Citrus.
But the governor rejected $1-million for a treatment center that would help youths battling substance abuse and mental health problems.
The Legislature included all those line items in its 2006-07 budget. But they had to survive Bush's veto pen.
"I appreciate the governor's recognition of these important programs and services for Citrus County," state Sen. Mike Fasano said in a news release.
But despite the efforts of local lawmakers, the treatment center missed out.
"It's very disheartening when he had gotten so far," said Laurie Menard, development director for the Centers, which plans to build and operate the treatment center.
The Centers serves Citrus and Marion counties, providing mental health, alcohol and drug abuse services. It is a nonprofit group that doesn't turn anyone away. The 15-bed children/adolescent residential substance abuse facility is planned for Lecanto.
"We're not going to let this (veto) stop us," Menard said, adding that the Centers plans to redouble its fundraising efforts and seek more private funding and grants.
Kids Central, which oversees child welfare services in Citrus, Hernando and three other counties, will get a share of the $20-million. That money is intended for the seven lowest-funded community-based care agencies in the state. Kids Central is one of them.
The money would raise the group's resources from $8,000 per child to $9,800 per child. Kids Central plans to hire more case managers.
[Last modified May 26, 2006, 00:50:07]
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