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Mayor Aims To Tighten Reins On Nonprofits

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2008

TAMPA - In the wake of conflict of interest allegations at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio wants to strengthen rules governing nonprofit organizations that receive taxpayer money.

Iorio said she will submit a proposed ordinance to the city council that would establish a series of "sensible" ethical guidelines for local nonprofits that get funding from the city. In a letter to the council on Wednesday, the mayor said the proposed rules were prompted by "the recent problems at Lowry Park Zoo."

"We have no reason to believe that any other nonprofit the city funds has similar problems," the mayor said in a statement. "However, we fund a variety of nonprofits that are engaged in community redevelopment, housing, social services and the arts."

Iorio wants those rules to include issues of outside employment, business relationships between nonprofit board members and employees and accountability of city assets.

The rules, if approved, would cover hundreds of nonprofits, from those housed in city-owned buildings, such as The Florida Aquarium and Tampa Theatre, to those subsidized by the city with tax dollars, such as the Museum of Science and Industry and The Florida Orchestra.

Councilman Charlie Miranda called the proposal a "step in the right direction."

"We're not pointing fingers at anyone here," Miranda said. "But there should be some parameters in place for nonprofit organizations that receive money from the city."

The city is conducting an audit of all connections between the zoo and a private exotic animal park started by zoo CEO Lex Salisbury after revelations of connections between the two organizations, including the transfer of animals and that the zoo built two barns at Safari Wild.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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