It turns out that Fayette Counseling Center can survive with a smaller budget increase than previously thought. But the center still needs help with finding alternative office space if an additional $32,000 over last year’s budget cannot be found. Fayette County commissioners considered the request at last week’s budget meeting and will make a decision sometime in June.

Originally seeking a $58,000 increase over the current $125,270 budget allocation, center Director Jane Fanslow said errors discovered in computation showed an actual need of $32,000, for a total budget request of $157,270.

Fayette Counseling Center’s 2007 revenues are projected at $335,083, which includes the cut in state funding and the addition of a portion of the area medical director’s salary. Revenues for the same period are projected at $367,957, a shortfall of $32,874.

Fanslow asked commissioners to consider relocating the center to other county office space as a way to help offset the funding shortfall. Currently housed in a 3,600 square-foot office on Braxton Court in Fayetteville, the center could conduct operations with less space if such space could be located, Fanslow said.

Responding to questions by the commission on the minimum square footage needed, Fanslow said the center could operate in offices of 2,000-2,500 square feet. Asked by Commission Chairman Jack Smith if the center could handle potential renovations if county office space was located, Fanslow said she could put out a call to the community to obtain those services.

Addressing questions relating to alternative funding sources, Fanslow said the center’s parent organization had recently created a new non-profit that enables grant possibilities. Some retired grant writers in the community have come forward to help with acquiring such funding, though the time line for being accepted and then receiving funds is uncertain, she said. Other funding potentials include the new fee for service methodology for adults being put in place by the state. That funding method is not currently in place, she said.

The center’s $191,000 personnel budget pays for its portion of the McIntosh Trail Community Service Board medical director’s salary and that of four full-time and five part-time staff composed of nurses, therapists, community support staff, clerical staff and the director.

Currently serving 239 people and averaging more than 50 visits per week, the center provides therapeutic counseling, psychiatric care, nursing assessments, child and adolescent services, employment counseling, community outreach and reduced prices for psychiatric and other needed medications.

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