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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2013 Health & Human Services Minutes MINUTES HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD AND COUNCIL ON AGING AND DISABILITIES June 3, 2013 5:30 PM Public Health Conference Room-HHS 1445 North Fourth Street, New Richmond, Wisconsin CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Fred Horne called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. for Health and Human Services Board and Council on Aging and Disabilities. Roll Call was taken at this time Health and Human Services (HHS) Board Chair, Fred Horne, called the public hearing open. He asked those in attendance to limit their testimonies to 3 minutes as there are many people who are wanting to speak. We will try to let everyone who wants to speak get their turn. Attendee Name Organization Title Status Arrived Tim Hood St. Croix County Supervisor Present Fred Yoerg St. Croix County Supervisor Present Chris Kilber St. Croix County Supervisor Present Tom Hawksford St. Croix County Supervisor Absent Roger Larson St. Croix County Vice Chair Present Fred Horne St. Croix County Chair Present Leon Berenschot St. Croix County Board Member Present Lisa Ramsay St. Croix County Board Member Absent Deb Rasmussen St. Croix County Board Member Present Dave Ostness St. Croix County Supervisor Present Vera Grant St. Croix County Council Member Present Debbie Brennan St. Croix County Council Member Present Lois Burri St. Croix County Council Member Present Laurie Pelnar St. Croix County Council Member Present Ron Kiesler St. Croix County Supervisor Present Sue Nelson St. Croix County Council Member Present Jennifer Soderlund St. Croix County Council Member Absent Sharon Norton-Bauman St. Croix County Council Member Absent Many other community members, parents, clients, and staff were in attendance. BUSINESS ITEMS Chair Horne, asked HHS Director, Fred Johnson, to give an overview of HHS and the vote taken at a recent HHS board meeting related to St. Croix Industries (SCI). Mr. Johnson made the public aware of the HHS high level overview of services handout that was available in the back for everyone. This document covers all Dept.’s of HHS, their vision and mission statements and areas of responsibility. Mr. Johnson then moved on to address the large crowd in attendance in regards to the future of SCI. Johnson shared the projected losses that HHS became aware of regarding SCI at the end of 2012 when going through the 2013 budget process. At the April 1st, and May 6th HHS Board Meetings, the financials we discussed, these are available to the public on the county website under agendas and minutes. A summary was given by Johnson regarding the issues the HHS Board looked at. The initial budget related to SCI was showing that $340,000 surplus dollars were needed to balance the SCI's budget in 2013. We sat down with Southwest Family Care Alliance (SFCA) at the end of 2012; they agreed to increase the rates for one year so the county didn't need to rely on such a large surplus. Beyond 2013 with the rate going from $9.91 to $7 per hour, and using a set of assumptions, this would make an accumulated loss projected to be in excess of $1.6 million from 2013-2016. The reserves would be depleted sometime in 2014. Policy options reviewed by the Board were to transfer SCI to another agency, apply tax levy, or make SCI operational adjustments. Transfer options looked at were, creating a private nonprofit, transfer to an existing agency, or close. When this discussion was had, Teri Buros, the CEO of SFCA was at the Board meeting and shared they would partner with the county or give more time at the increased rates if needed to make a seamless transition that would assure the same level and quality of service from another provider, should the county decide to go in this direction. Buros also indicated they would work with the county in selecting another provider should the county decide to go in that direction. Dave Lemanski, CEO from Chippewa River Industries was also at the May 6th meeting, he spoke in regard to the process they went through when they transitioned from county run to a private nonprofit. Johnson informed those in attendance that the size of the operational levy that can be taxed for the county isn't anticipated to go up enough in 2014 to cover the deficits SCI faces. Tax levy adjustment would need to come from other services. SCI services are valuable, but not mandated as a county service. Operational adjustments were looked at that would enhance revenue or cut expense, but 76% of the operations budget is in wage and fringe. Board reviewed these options at the May 6th meeting; vote was 6-1 to authorize the County Administrator and staff to move ahead with transition. Board member Tim Hood spoke in regards to the discrepancies in information regarding the May 6th meeting. It was never a desire of the Board to cut any services or close SCI. The Board voted as to what they felt was the best option to assure services for the clients to continue. 1. Open Public Participation Process - Review Letters and Take Public Testimony Related to the 2014 Health and Human Services Budget Planning At this time those in attendance were given a chance to address the Board. Chair, Horne again asked that people stay within the 3 minute time frame and if anyone gets missed to please raise their hand. Many parents, clients and members of the public gave testimony in regards to the SCI issue. There were pleas and reasoning given to keep SCI open or at least slow the process down and take a better look at all options. Many of the people that spoke shared the positive role that SCI and the staff has in their lives. Also, several letters were received by HHS and copies of these will be given to Board members as time didn’t allow for them all to be read. The majority of the letters were in regards to SCI and one letter shared their positive experience with the Birth to 3 Department. ADJOURN Fred Horne asked for any closing statements. He also thanked everyone, on behalf of both boards, for coming. Meeting was adjourned at 7:06 pm.