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Board approves Smiles on Wheels contract for kindergarten dental assessments; commissioners ask for funding contingency language
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Summary
The Board approved a contract with Smiles on Wheels to provide kindergarten dental assessments, with discussion focused on the contract term, automatic renewal language and the dependency on state funding.
The Livingston County Board of Commissioners on May 27 approved a contract for the Health Department to use Smiles on Wheels, a Jackson County nonprofit, to provide kindergarten oral‑health assessments under the state program.
Commissioner Deaton moved to approve the contract and Commissioner Helzerman seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote, 9–0. The health department said the contract follows the state budget cycle and is set to expire Sept. 30 and renew (if funding continues) on Oct. 1.
Commissioners asked questions about the renewal language and the contract’s dependence on state funding. A commissioner noted the resolution language described an "option to renew annually" while the contract text described an automatic renewal; health staff said the intent was an annual option to renew and explained that payment depends on the MDHHS allocation. Health staff pointed to subsection 3 of the contract (compensation) explaining that payment equals the MDHHS allocation; if the allocation were zero, the program would not proceed. The department said they selected Smiles on Wheels after referrals from other Michigan health departments and consultation with the local My Community Dental Center, which lacked capacity for the program.
Why it matters: Michigan requires kindergarten oral‑health assessments; using a vendor that performs on‑site screenings allows the county to meet the state requirement without expanding county clinical capacity. Commissioners sought explicit contract language to ensure the county and the vendor are not committed when state funding is not provided.
Officials and context: The health department said roughly a dozen other health departments in Michigan use Smiles on Wheels. Commissioners asked staff to confirm the contract’s renewal mechanics and to ensure the compensation language limits county obligation if the MDHHS allocation is not provided.
Provenance evidence: - topicintro: agenda item read aloud introducing the Smiles on Wheels contract (excerpt: "It's a resolution authorizing a contract for service between smiles on wheels and Livingston County to provide dental assessments in compliance with the kindergarten oral health assessment program.") - topfinish: closing voice vote where the board approved the item 9–0 (excerpt: "All those in favor, kindly say aye. Aye. 9 to 0. 12 i passes.")
