HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARD
2008 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Administrative Center - Auditorium
5:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Tara Johnson, Jill Billings, Brad Pfaff, Loren Kannenberg, Al Thompson
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Dr. James Glasser, Sharon Hampson, Margaret Wood
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patrick Schippers
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry Huber, Doug Mormann, Al Graewin, Mary Ellen Prinsen, Dean Ruppert, Pat Killeen, Jane Klekamp, Tom Miller, Lorie Mueller, Audra Martine, Chris Sander, Donna Gunnarson, Steve O’Malley, Todd Bjerke, Pam Semb, Cheryl Stephen
GUESTS PRESENT: Ann Quinlisk (DVIP), Carol Meyer Bolden (CMP Rehabilitation Inc.), Paula Steadman (W-2 Steering Committee), Janet Kusch (Options Clinic), Steve Johnson (Long Term Care Council), Jodi Widuch (Family Resources/Family Policy Board), Dan Guzman (county resident), Tim Garrity (Family & Children’s Center), Audrey Kader (CMO/TCC), Becky Klies (county resident), Julie Strueler (county resident), news media
Tara Johnson, Chair of the Health & Human Services Board, called the public hearing to order at 5:08 p.m. She noted the various invites to tonight’s public budget hearing, those being: the many advisory committees, County Judges, Family Court Commissioner, union representatives, superintendents of schools, Human Services managers and supervisors, news media, plus noted the posting in the La Crosse Tribune.
SPEAKERS AND COMMENTS
Jerry Huber gave a brief PowerPoint presentation as well as distributed a handout relating to Human Services requirement per Wis. Stats. for assessing needs, inventory resources, and services in the development of a budget per public participation. The handout also included statutory requirement per each division/section including revenues, expenses and tax levy requirement.
Doug Mormann reviewed the responsibilities of the Health Department. He also noted most of their revenues come from federal sources with the remainder of 35% from local tax levy.
Jodi Widuch, Family Policy Board Management Council & Family Resources, noted the purpose of the council and the various agencies involvement that provide prevention services, those being: Salvation Army, Domestic Family Intervention Program, New Horizons Shelter, Healthy Families, Family & Children’s Center, Boys & Girls Club, and St. Clare Health Mission; she also noted the decreasing budget for Child Support Agency. She spoke in favor of continued support of the various prevention programs as noted. (A handout was distributed.)
Carol Meyer Bolden, Home Health Advisory Committee & CMP Rehabilitation, Inc., spoke in favor of needed services of home health care; also noted need for contract rate increase including same for mileage reimbursement; it’s been six years without an increase.
Janet Kusch, Options Clinic, spoke in favor of continued services. She reviewed the services of the clinic relating to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). For 2008, they are requesting $24,000 to cover services of 320 clients. (A handout was distributed.)
Dan Guzman, county resident and home care provider, spoke on the need for natural health care.
At the conclusion of the speakers, Board Chair Johnson noted the budget process. The HHS Board will review and approve the heath and human services budgets in August; another public hearing by the County Board will take place in late October or early November on the entire County budget, with County Board approval in mid November. She foresees doing similar HHS Board budget public hearing next July. Jerry Huber noted as final note, the need to be more proactive on policy and legislative issues which impact the County and those we serve.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no additional comments from the public, Board Chair Johnson declared the budget public hearing adjourned at 5:56 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder