Community Mental Health gives update on budget crunch
Grand Haven Tribune (MI)Aug 27, 2015
The agency hosted a roundtable discussion Wednesday evening to provide an update on its budget crunch.
"There's lots of reasons for that,"
According to Doyle, new requirements have caused the agency to join a seven-county region, which has resulted in changes in
And more reductions are likely needed, too.
"One of the biggest things coming around the bend here at
A
"That's a 25 percent cut in
Doyle did note that the state
"What that could mean at the end of 18 months is an additional
Doyle also noted that the state has been working on ways to distribute its General Fund money more equally, which could result in another
But agency officials are still looking to roll up their sleeves.
"With a looming
The agency is focused on looking at ways they can contract with other partners to provide services, identifying and providing the most timely and cost-effective services to clients, and making administrative efficiencies.
"We're working on it, but there's certainly work to be done," Doyle said.
Officials are also eyeing a possible millage that would go before county voters at some point in the future.
"The proposal we're going to be submitting would bring in another
Doyle also addressed the pending closure of
"That was very unexpected news for us," Doyle said. "(Kandu officials) let me know the day they issued a press release that they would be closing by the end of the month."
In a recent Tribune article, Kandu CEO
According to Doyle, the
The local mental health department is working to place workers with various opportunities once Kandu closes, and officials are also working on a long-term solution.
"We've been working for a long time to come up with a model for what employment services will look like in the future here," Doyle said. "I think the end result will be a solid model that is going to work for everyone."
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