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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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PRINTABLE DOCUMENT
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DRAFT Minutes of the Health & Human Services Committee October 3, 2011
The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, October 3, 2011, @ 6:30p.m. in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East. Vice-Chairman Metzger, Sr., called the meeting to order. Members present were Ms. Allen, Mr. Emerson, Ms. DeFauw and Mr. Tyson. Mr. Stoddard was absent. A quorum was present. Others present were Donna Moulton, Mr. Ken Ritchie, Mrs. Ritchie and Ms. Vicki Broos.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTESMoved by Mr. Emerson, seconded by Ms. DeFauw, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from September, 2011.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDAMoved by Ms. Allen, seconded by Mr. Emerson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICE INTRODUCTION AND UPDATE: MS. VICKI BROOS.Ms. Vicki Broos, County Director for the University of Illinois Extension Unit, introduced herself to the committee. Ms. Broos informed the committee that she was appointed as the multi-county leader for the Extension office in November of 2010. By combining the three county offices for Boone, Ogle and DeKalb County helped to reduce administrative costs. DeKalb County has remained the same. It is a very stable unit compared to other counties in the State. They not only downsized their staff, but they also were able to downsize their office space and rental costs. She told the committee that county board members’ seminars would start back up again this month.
Vice-Chairman Metzger, Sr., asked Ms. Broos what was her biggest concern now that she has taken over the office for at least a year now?
Ms. Broos said that her biggest concern is to be able to maintain the current funding for the tri-county offices.
Ms. Peggy Doty will continue to teach at the Nature Resource Center but will also provide leadership to volunteers within the new Master Naturalist Program. She will also be serving the three counties with programs in energy conservation, development of sustainable and alternative energy sources, and enhancement and protection of natural resources. Ms. Johnna Jennings provides the overall leadership to the entire 4-H youth development program in the three-county unit, focusing on 4-H clubs, 4-H Groups and Youth Education initiatives. She will work with program coordinators and 4-H volunteers located in each county. Ms. Ellen Phillips will be serving the three counties with programs in sustainable local food production, marketing of local food systems, organic and IPM plant protection systems, and small farms educational programs stressing environmental stewardship and economic sustainability.
FY2012 BUDGET DISCUSSION AND APPEALS:
Appeal Request Statement: The Community Mental Health Board requests the full budget amount be made available to fund community agencies and provide mental health services for the County. The Administrative Recommendation budget amount is $2,215,000, and the board’s request for the budget is $2,310,000. The proposed increase is critical to the mental health services of DeKalb County due to the fact that the DCCMHB budget has remained flat, with no increase, for the past four years. Suggest additional funding to come from or how the savings can be used: The DCCMHB asks that the County Board utilize the contingency funds available under the Tax Cap Law for this funding. The $95,000 difference would increase the taxes for an average home-owner by just $2.85.
Mr. Gary Hanson, DeKalb County Deputy Administrator, explained to the committee that the one appeal that the committee has before them this evening deals with the Mental Health Board regarding the property tax levy. The property tax levy is actually the only piece of the mental health component that you have control over, he explained. In the administrative budget recommendation the levy was recommended to have seven-tenths of one percent increase, which is minimal, but that was reflective of what the new construction parameter is. In the tax cap there are two components, one is new construction and the other is cost of living. So the increase that is recommended is the new construction component. The appeal that is before you this evening is asking you to take what the Mental Health Board requested, which is $95,000 higher than what was recommended administratively. This would increase property taxes to make up that difference instead of taking the funds away from anyone else.
Mr. Ken Ritchie, Vice-President of the Mental Health Board, who came to speak on behalf of the Board and their appeal. He is a pastor in Sandwich and he deals with people that are dealing with mental illness day-in and day-out. He is married to a licensed therapist too. He is a strong advocate of caring for the mentally ill. Most families will be affected by mental illness in their lifetime. Most of you in this room tonight will have adequate access to the resources that you will need. Those that do not have insurance suffer in desperation and some live in the midst of poverty. This is the group that they give a voice to through the Mental Health Board. That’s the mission of the Mental Health Board, that is, to take the money and provide it to agencies and care for the poor - those who are at the greatest risk. The last four years they have been operating at the same level of income. Interesting enough, the struggles and anxieties that our culture is struggling with right now because of economic times is when we see mental illness cases increase. Agencies have been asked to do more with less from us and the State until the time comes when they can’t do it anymore and now is that time.
In the handout (attached to these minutes) that Mr. Ritchie gave to the committee, it shows in question #1 how many agencies have revenue reductions and what they are. In question #6 found on page 4, shows what unmet needs are in the community.
Ms. Moulton said that two items that her office will be trying to address is to increase collaborations between the agencies and have a more efficient system in DeKalb County. The second item is to find a grant writer for local agencies and finding grants that include local matches so that we can bring those federal dollars back to our community.
Vice-Chairman Metzger, Sr., said that he does see the need for a grant writer for all agencies in the county. He said that he does believe in the Mental Health Board and that he sits on the Board of Open Door. However, by going around his town over the recent weeks and talking to his constituents in Sandwich he has noticed that many of them are suffering in these economic times and he could not vote yes on an increase of taxes.
Moved by Ms. Allen, seconded by Mr. Emerson, and it was carried to deny the budget appeal by the Mental Health Board for an increase in property taxes. There were 4 no votes and one yes vote. Ms. DeFauw voted yes.
ADJOURNMENTMoved by Mr. Emerson, and seconded by Ms. Allen, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________ Vice-Chairman Jeff Metzger, Sr.
__________________________ Mary C. Supple, Secretary
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