Homeland Security Slams ECUA in Federal Funds Audit

April 7, 2011 issue of The Pensacola Voice

http://pensacolavoice.com/?p=486

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security slammed the Emerald Coast Utility Authority in an audit issued concerning its contracting practices with small, minority and women-owned businesses concerning the removal of the Main Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. C. David Kimble, Director, of Homeland Security’s, Eastern Regional Office recommended that the FEMA Region IV:

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Instruct ECUA to accelerate their efforts in the development of a solicitation process which will ensure small, minority and women-owned businesses are considered for future procurements of goods and services.

+ Instruct ECUA to use the services of the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce to assure that minority firms, women business enterprises and labor surplus area firms are considered for future procurements under the award.

+ Instruct ECUA to comply with federal regulations on the award of future contracts by requiring prime contractors to take affirmative steps to subcontract with small, minority and women-owned businesses when possible.

The Escambia-Pensacola Human Relations Commission (EPHRC) filed the complaint with Homeland Security and FEMA because of the lack of small, minority and women-owned businesses being contracted with for the removal of the Wastewater Sewage Treatment Plant.  Dr. Calvin Avant, the EPHRC Executive Director, took over in 2008 and has guided the agency through governmental budget cutbacks with strong financial management accountability, the provision of diversity training with both non-profits and various governmental agencies in the region, and the management of the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) of Maritime Park.

The staff of Barbara Hoard, Rebecca Hale, and Avant manages the employment and housing discrimination complaint system with Department of Labor and HUD collaboration for Pensacola and Escambia County. However, the EPHRC was recently contacted by Escambia County Government staff proposing that the agency not receive funding from the county government for 2012-2013.  A copy of the notification was sent to City of Pensacola which matches county funding for the human rights organization.

Community supporters of the 35 year old agency have stated that this is an interesting outcome for the EPHRC that implemented an accountability measurement on a utility that receives revenue from the same communities that were excluded from contract opportunities.  There are many that believe the EPHRC deserves the support of this community to be funded to continue the great job they are providing to the Pensacola, Escambia County, and the region.  The agency is requesting that letters be sent and calls be made to support the agency’s county and city funding for 2012-2013.