HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1985 (22) Resolution No. AR686.)
RESOLUTION URGING STATE LEGISLATURE TO ADJUST COMMUNITY AIDS
FORMULA TO MORE EQUITABLY FINANCE COUNTY PROGRAMS
WHEREAS Wisconsin counties are responsible for provisions of a
variety of social and mental hygiene services to the elderly, the
disabled and the mentally ill;
WHEREAS the State Legislature has over a period of years mandated
many of these services and targeted the dollars allocated to counties by
earmarking them for specific programs ;
WHEREAS the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services
distributes the appropriated funds of community aids to counties using
a formula which takes into consideration the county' s medical assistance
caseload, per capita property valuation and rural-urban mix;
WHEREAS due to the implementation of the formula and its funding
since its creation in 1979, many counties are not receiving 100 percent
of the funds to which they would 1)e entitled if the formula were fully
funded and allowed to operate ;
- WHEREAS the result of the shortfall in community aids funding
has been the creation of large deficits in the operations of some counties '
human services programs ;
WHEREAS these deficits have had to be passed on to property tax-
payers and have added to the unfair burden imposed by high property taxes
on farmers , the elderly and the poor, as well as general homeowners ;
WHEREAS it would greatly assist counties to provide these important
services to clients if legislative action appropriated additional funds
to bring counties closer to their full target allocation in community
aids ;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Croix County Board of
Supervisors , that the State Legislature and Governor be urged to finance
supplemental appropriations to the community aids appropriation to bring
those counties which are below their target basic county allocation up
to 100 percent of that funding, or as close as is realistically possible
in the current legislative session;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this additional funding be achieved
from new funds added to the appropriation, not from reallocating funds
away from counties not in a relatively better position in community aids
funding;
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent
to Department of Health and Social Services , Secretary, Linda Reivitz,
at P.O. Box 7850, Madison, WI, 53707 ; Governor Anthony S. Earl, at
115 East State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 ; State Senator Harsdorf,
State Representative Berndt, and the Wisconsin Counties Association,
122 W. Washington Ave. , Suite 200, Madison, WI 53703.
Dated this / 1 of June, 1985 . SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
Negative ffirmative f r-
Passed and adopted the / l day of 1985 .