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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1998.10.15 - 25496MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION: # 98252 BY: Commissioners Shelley Taub, District #12; Fran Amos, District #5; John Garfield, District #9; Charles Palmer, District #16 and JoAnne Holbert, District #6. IN RE: SUPPORTING SB 1170 WHICH REMOVES 'THE EXPIRATION DATE ON CARRY FORWARDS OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FUNDS To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS amendments to the Mental Health Code in 1995 authorized the carry forward of up to 5% of a community mental health services programs operating budget; and WHEREAS over the objections of CMHSP's, counties and the Department of Community Health, an amendment was added which will result in the expiration of this carry forward authority on March 29, 1999; and WHEREAS the ability of an organization to carry forward a portion of its operating budget from one year to the next is a sound business practice common in the public and private sectors; and WHEREAS the carry forward of funds is also a common practice among other governmental entities in Michigan such as counties, cities, townships and school districts; and WHEREAS the ability to carry forward funds permits proactive planning and encourages budget and service stability, and discourages spending of public funds on non-priority items which would otherwise lapse at the end of the fiscal year; and WHEREAS the ability to carry forward becomes even more important on October 1, 1998 when CMHSP's go "at risk" in delivering mental health services to persons enrolled in the Medicaid program; and WHEREAS SB 1170 sponsored by Senator Robert Geake and introduced on May 27, 1998 removes the expiration date on the carry forward and makes it a permanent provision of the Mental Health Code; and WHEREAS SB 1170 received bi partisan legislative support as it was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 36-1 and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 98-0; and WHEREAS SB 1170 will be enrolled and presented to Governor John Engler for approval in November. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners respectfully request and strongly encourage Governor Engler to sign this legislation into law which will be of great benefit to CMHSP's, counties and ultimately to consumers of mental health services, and BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Governor John Resolution #98252 October 15, 1998 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.