Local government still matters! Attend public hearing on February 5.

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners majority is fast-tracking a vote on a plan to remove Community Mental Health (CMH) services from under the county’s umbrella, and instead to make it a stand-alone “authority” under state law.

Why? The Board majority is concerned about CMH’s multimillion-dollar deficits. Their stated reason for proposing to separate CMH from the county is that, as a standalone Authority, CMH’s “risk” will be covered by the state’s budget, instead of the county’s.

It is unclear what “risk” they refer to, or why they believe that the state will assume “liability.” If it is the risk presented by the deficit, they have presented no evidence that the state will intervene to address a local Authority’s deficit. And in fact, there is evidence to the contrary. Last summer, the Northern Lakes CMH Authority was forced to cut programs and lay off almost 30 staff members due to a $10M deficit, and the state did not assist. Furthermore, as a county department, Commissioners have stronger oversight of CMH—its budget, and policies, and can correct problems—than they would if CMH became an Authority. 

In addition, there are likely to be substantial additional administrative costs to CMH if it converts to an Authority. It will need to obtain its own HR, IT, and purchasing staff, health and liability insurance, and facilities. These costs have not yet been calculated. This, on top of its existing deficit, makes this transition even more problematic. 

The Board will likely take a final vote on this at its regular February 24 meeting. Consider writing to your county commissioners today and ask them to slow down and provide proof of their claims about “state liability,” as well as examples showing that the state has, in fact, assumed such liability for existing Authorities. Ask them to require development of a genuine plan to address CMH’s deficit before they consider a structural change. Consider attending the final, statutorily required public hearing on this matter on Thursday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m., at the Department of Public Health offices at 12251 James St., Holland.

Vulnerable people rely on these services. They deserve clarity and evidence regarding proposed changes that are unlikely to address the biggest problem: CMH’s deficit.