OKEECHOBEE – Children’s Service Council (CSC) of Okeechobee County spent more than $1 million on programs for Okeechobee County children in the past year.

At the Jan. 11 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission CSC Director Toni Wiersma said CSC total revenue for the fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, 2023, was $1,108,071.35 and total expenses of $1,099,138.73.

Funding provided to agencies who submitted Requests for Proposals (RFP) to provide childrens’ programs and services totaled $459,038.84 (42% of total expenditures.) These programs served 16,999 children.

CSC gave out $55,000 in scholarships to 11 children (5% of expenditures).

Special projects received $309,442,56 (28% of expenditures). These programs served 33,855 children.

Summer projects totaled $210,311.62 (19% of expenditures). These programs served 1,059 children.

Administrative costs were 6% of expenditures at $65,345.71.

Children's Service Council Okeechobee County is an independent taxing authority founded in 1990.  It was implemented after Okeechobee County voters approved the additional property tax to fund these services.

The Council's mission is to enhance the lives of all children in Okeechobee County and enable them to attain their full potential by providing funds to qualifying agencies. These agencies provide programs that improve the quality of life for children and include preventive, developmental, treatment and/or rehabilitative services. The council annually reviews funding requests solicited by RFPs.

The council consists of 10 members: Five members positions representing the School Superintendent, School Board Representative, County Commissioner, Department of Juvenile Affairs and the County Judge in charge of juvenile justice, plus 5 members appointed by the Governor.

The other five council members serve staggered four-year terms and are appointed by the governor, but must first be nominated by the Board of County Commissioners. Citizens who wish to serve on the Council must submit a Questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments to the Board of County Commissioners. To qualify for an appointment, a citizen must have resided in Okeechobee County for at least 24 months immediately preceding an application.