COUNTYWIDE : United Way Short of Goal by $800,000

United Way of Ventura County has released final figures showing that the organization is about $800,000 short of its $6.6-million goal, agency officials said.

Late last month, United Way had raised $5.7 million in pledges for its 1991-92 campaign.

With the campaign officially over, the agency reported Tuesday that the final amount is $5.8 million--the same amount raised last year.

Agency officials also announced that the local United Way will continue to withhold its voluntary dues payment--about $58,000--from United Way of America until a total restructuring of the national organization has occurred.

The move comes in the wake of the scandal-ridden resignation last month of United Way of America President William Aramony, who allegedly used agency funds to support a lavish lifestyle.

A preliminary audit released last week showed that Aramony, who was paid $463,000 a year, charged United Way for trips to Las Vegas, flights to Europe on Concorde airliners, and $92,000 alone for limousine services from 1988-1990.

Since reports about Aramony’s spending surfaced, the county’s United Way and others like it across the country have reacted by withholding dues and distancing themselves from the national organization.

“Your United Way of Ventura County is completely autonomous from United Way of America,” said Marty de los Cobos, who serves in a volunteer role as president of the local board. “We share only the same overall mission, name and trademark logo.”

Marti Kessler, local campaign director for United Way, said that the scandal happened so late in the campaign that it was difficult to determine whether it had an impact on fund-raising.

“I don’t think it had a huge impact,” she said.

The recession made a greater impact, she said, as did the loss of 26 companies that either left the county or substantially reduced their operations here.

“We feel very proud we raised the same as we did last year,” she said.

Ventura County government employees turned in the most in pledges--$281,083. Southern California Edison was second with $162,724.

United Way funds more than 60 nonprofit health and social service programs. In May, agency volunteers will present their recommendations about how the $5.8 million should be divided.