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Washington County continues to implement service delivery changes in order to minimize costs. <br />However, in recent years, the state has eased its own fiscal problems by shifting certain costs and <br />responsibilities to the counties. <br />A 2017 law change now requires counties to pay 15% of the cost <br />of state required assessments and reassessment for the elderly <br />and individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, <br />counties are now required to pay a higher cost for regional <br />treatment centers and chemical dependency treatment. Law <br />changes in 2015 and 2016 have dramatically increased county <br />costs related to child protection services and the subsequent <br />placement of children outside of the home. These cost increases <br />in 2018 equal nearly $1,000,000 and counties have little or no <br />ability to manage these increases. <br />MOST COSTLY MANDATED SERVICES <br />RCENT COUNTY <br />Jail/juvenile detention <br />FUNDEDPE <br />� <br />$9,502,100 <br />97% <br />Sheriff Patrol services <br />$4,027,000 <br />93% <br />911 Emergency dispatch <br />$3,181,600 <br />88% <br />services <br />Probation Supervision <br />$5,373,600 <br />61% <br />Child out -of -home <br />$2,815,500 <br />82°%0 <br />placements <br />Attorney's Office <br />$3,202,000 <br />98% <br />prosecution <br />The combination of passing on costs, and inadequate increases <br />in county aid to pay for increased costs to provide mandated services, is eroding the few county services <br />that serve the public at large. These factors, when taken together, are significantly impairing our ability <br />to maintain and expand our core services during a period of increasing population and changing <br />demographics, and the corresponding pressure for citizen and safety net services. <br />Counties have identified many mandated services that could be repealed, reformed or funded. For <br />example, the state could eliminate the county share of certain state court costs, reduce the mental health <br />services maintenance of effort, eliminate recently adopted increases in the county cost share for many <br />human service programs, and eliminate costly requirements for publications of county financial <br />information and instead allow for web publication. <br />Support and Opposition: <br />Support will come from other counties and other local governments that seek mandate relief. Opposition <br />may come from those that support mandates. <br />Previous Consideration: <br />The county has advocated this position for many years. <br />No Action: <br />Counties will continue to be responsible for new, unfunded mandates that will likely result in increasing <br />pressure on local property taxpayers. <br />Financial Implications: <br />County levy increases are likely to be larger than otherwise necessary if the state and federal governments <br />would fully fund the costs of mandated services. <br />Contact Persons: <br />Molly O'Rourke, Administrator <br />Washington County <br />651-430-6002 <br />Molly.O'Rourke@co.washin,gton.mn.us <br />a <br />Kevin Corbid, Deputy Administrator <br />Washington County <br />651-430-6003 <br />Kevin.Corbid@co.washington.mn.us <br />