HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2021 (05) Resolution No. 5 (2021)
ST. ROM�'w '° �..1NTY RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED COUNTY CHILD
I;SN RYeS,'): SUPPORT FUNDING
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COVER MEMO
TO: County Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ken Witt, Interim County Administrator
Lisa Plunkett, Child Support Administrator, Child Support
DATE: January 5, 2021
AGENDA ITEM: Resolution in Support of Increased County Child Support Funding
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Wisconsin Child Support Enforcement Association(WCSEA)would like to encourage legislators
from every corner of the state to support the request for increased child support funding. There is strength
in numbers so the WCSEA is requesting every county to support this resolution.
Legislators listen to their local constituents, and St. Croix County could mean the difference between
stagnant child support agency funding and counties obtaining the resources required to provide
Wisconsin's families the child support services they need and deserve.
Resolution No. 5 (2021)
ST. ROM�'w '° �..1NTY RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED COUNTY CHILD
I;SN RYeS,'): SUPPORT FUNDING
mNid" hiiN'
1 WHEREAS, St. Croix County administers the Child Support Enforcement Program on
2 behalf of the state, providing services to St. Croix County residents including paternity
3 establishment, obtaining child support and health insurance orders for children, and enforcing
4 and modifying those orders; and
5
6 WHEREAS, our children's well-being, economic security and success in life are
7 enhanced by parents who provide financial and emotional support; and
8
9 WHEREAS, county child support agencies collected $935 million in child support
10 during 2019 and established 98,405 health insurance orders for Wisconsin children; and
11
12 WHEREAS, the St. Croix County Child Support Agency provides services to children as
13 well as custodial and non-custodial parents that reduce childhood poverty rates, establish
14 parental rights, and promote the involvement of both parents in the life of their children; and
15
16 WHEREAS, the economic security and social service programs provided by the St.
17 Croix County Child Support Agency are needed by Wisconsin children and families now more
18 than ever due to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19; and
19
20 WHEREAS, State funding for county child support services has failed to keep up with
21 county agency costs, which have steadily increased due to growing case loads, inflation, and new
22 federal regulations; and
23
24 WHEREAS, Wisconsin's Child Support Enforcement Program has fallen from 2nd in
25 the nation for collecting current child support to 5th; and
26
27 WHEREAS, Wisconsin's decreased performance has led to the state losing out on an
28 estimated $70,000 in potential funding incentive payments between calendar year 2019 and
29 2020; and
30
31 WHEREAS, an abrupt federal interpretation change in June 2019 eliminated $4.2
32 million in federal birth cost recovery matching funds for Wisconsin; and
33
34 WHEREAS, Wisconsin's strong performance in child support is at risk without
35 additional state funding. Further drops in performance would result in additional reductions to
36 federal funding for Wisconsin; and
37
38 WHEREAS, decreased federal funding would lead to less funding for the St. Croix
39 County Child Support Agency. This could lead to reductions in child support enforcement staff
40 and services and reduced child support collections; and
41
42 WHEREAS, new state investments in child support are amplified by a generous federal
43 match. Every $1 of state GPR invested in the Child Support Enforcement Program generates
44 roughly $2 in federal matching funds; and
45
46 WHEREAS, county child support agencies helped save taxpayer dollars by establishing
47 health insurance orders for 97% of cases, which reduces state Medicaid costs by moving children
48 from public assistance to private insurance; and
49
50 WHEREAS, Wisconsin's Child Support Enforcement Program is incredibly cost-
51 effective collecting an average of$6.20 in support for every dollar invested in the program.
52
53 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Board of
54 Supervisors respectfully requests that state funding for county child support agencies be
55 increased by $4 million GPR in each fiscal year of the 2021-23 Wisconsin state budget, which
56 will generate approximately $7.7 million in additional federal funding each year. This investment
57 will ensure that counties can continue to effectively provide economic support to our children.
58
59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the
60 County Clerk to the Governor of the State of Wisconsin, State Senators and State
61 Representatives representing St. Croix County, the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of
62 Administration, and the Wisconsin Counties Association for consideration.
Legal—Fiscal—Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: Increase in State General Purpose Revenue, which will generate additional
matching funds from the Federal government. The specific amount unknown.
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K vu jI Sri a'Wi 11/30/2020
12/3/20 Adopted
12/03/20 Public Protection &Judiciary Committee APPROVED
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 1/5/2021 8:30 AM
MOVER: Bob Feidler, Chair
SECONDER: Daniel Hansen, Supervisor
AYES: Leaf, Berning, Feidler, Hansen, Tomtschik
Vote Confirmation.
BobµFeldler PPJ Chair TZ/9/2=
SL Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call -Vote Requirement— Majority of Supervisors Present
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RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Bob Feidler, Supervisor
SECONDER: Paul Berning, Supervisor
AYES: Schachtner, Anderson, Long, Leaf, Koch, Hall, Berning, Ottino, Feidler, Ostness,
Counter, Hansen, Ard, Tellijohn, Peterson, Achterhof, Tomtschik, Peavey
ABSENT: Paulette Anderson
This Resolution was Adopted by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on January 5, 2021
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk