2017.01.17 CC Packet - Goal Setting Session

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STATE FUNDING FOR SAFETY NET SERVICES Position: Washington County supports ensuring adequate state funding for essential health and human service safety net programs without shifts in funding from the state budget to the county property taxpayers. Issue: Year after year the Minnesota Legislature balances the State budget by shifting safety net costs to counties. In recent years those shifts have come in the form of increases to the county share of residential costs at state-run safety net institutions. One significant problem is that these actions are often taken in the wee hours of the legislative session as legislators finalize budgets in conference committees opposition may come from. Support and Opposition: Minnesota Counties are united in their opposition to these ongoing cost shifts. The Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators, Minnesota Inter -County Association, and the Association of Minnesota Counties support the position. Human service advocacy organizations that are focused on getting their legislative agenda included in the final legislation and are not concerned about who is paying the bill and the regressive nature of the property tax system. Previous Consideration: The issue has been indirectly referenced in the county position on taxpayer protection. It does parallel a long-standing county position opposing maintenance of effort requirements. Counties have not had success eliminating those over the years, despite very compelling arguments that they are an antiquated means of funding important core services that seriously interfere with innovation and good practice. No Action: Counties will be forced to continue to raise property taxes which are not predicated on people's ability to pay in order to pay for services that should be included in the state safety net budget. Financial Implications: County Human Services Cost Shares: Minnesota Security Hospital, St. Peter o Counties responsible for 10% of the daily cost o Counties responsible for 50% of the cost for the Transitional Program Forensic Nursing Home, St. Peter o Counties responsible for 10% of the daily cost o Counties responsible for 50% of cost when the individual no longer requires program (note: counties have no say as to when this decision occurs, nor are there suitable community options available) Community Behavioral Health Homes (CBHH): o Counties responsible for 100% of cost for individuals who are determined by the State to no longer meet medical criteria for placement Community Restoration (to determine competency to stand trial): o Counties responsible for 20% of the daily cost while deemed medically necessary. o Counties responsible for 50% of the daily cost when individual no longer requires program services o Counties responsible for 100% of the daily cost if charges are dropped. 11