Washington County’s Health and Human Services committee on Aug. 27 approved a resolution to move $1,000,000 between budget lines to rebalance foster‑care and family‑assistance appropriations after officials said a high‑cost, dually eligible placement has driven up foster‑care spending.

The department explained that the county initially expected the child’s costs to be billed to a different eligibility category; because eligibility and reimbursement codes vary, the department must reclassify funds to cover current charges. Staff described the placement as expensive (board members referenced figures “over half a million” for the placement) and said the goal is to “true up” the lines so payments align with the categories in which the state will reimburse.

Committee members probed broader budget pressures. Staff warned that foster‑care and homeless‑services costs are variable and that timing of state reimbursement can create the appearance of under‑ or over‑spending at interim reporting points. The department cautioned that chargebacks from state services and delayed claims processing complicate forecasting.

Members discussed homelessness and Code Blue funding: staff described Code Blue as a separate funding stream intended to cover people ineligible for other assistance during extreme cold, and noted that motel placements and shelter use are handled under different eligibility rules. The department reported a decline in point‑in‑time homelessness counts—roughly a 40% reduction from recent highs—and said some clients moved into permanent housing or alternative arrangements, though staff cautioned it remains a fluctuating demand.

Board members also raised concerns about outside counsel and court‑related costs. The committee heard that outside attorneys can bill high rates (participants cited figures in the discussion) and that court delays and multiple adjournments can increase county costs for appointed counsel and other court‑ordered services. Members asked whether the county can better track outside‑counsel billing or change practices to reduce outside spending; staff said some oversight exists but capacity and local attorney availability constrain options.

The committee approved the $1,000,000 transfer (moved by Scott); staff said additional resolutions to reclassify funds and recognize grant revenue would follow as needed.