Although St. Augustine city commissioners say they need St. Johns County's support to solve homeless issues, they've never asked for it.

City talks to county about homeless

County to look at forming a joint committee for problem

KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustinerecord.com
Publication Date: 09/06/07


Although St. Augustine city commissioners say they need St. Johns County's support to solve homeless issues, they've never asked for it.

"Nobody's ever sat me down to talk about this issue," County Commission Chairman Ben Rich said Wednesday.

"(The city) needs to come to us and outline specifically what is the problem, possible solutions and the costs. They've never done that."

Mayor Joe Boles said the city hasn't talked with county commissioners because it seemed clear they would not give funding for a new homeless shelter or services.

"Why goes ask them, 'Please help us,' if they've already said they wouldn't," Boles said. "It seems like it could be a waste of time."

Rich has said he wouldn't support funding to build a new shelter, but he said that's because no one has ever explained to him the need for one.

"I don't know anything about the issue other than people are hanging around downtown," Rich said. "And they want me to fix that? Why?"

After a Record reporter questioned Boles, he called Rich and Jerry Cameron, assistant county administrator.

Boles said Cameron will speak to county commissioners and staff about possibly putting together a joint committee with the city to research the homeless issues.

Boles said the city doesn't have a study showing the demographics of the homeless and solutions and costs to the problems. He said it will take the city and county agencies working together to get those answers.

"Until everybody sits at the same table we won't get that info," Boles said. (The city) will meet anywhere, any time."


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