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Supervisors discuss uncertainty around Care Connections, HHS changes and state-level funding risks
Summary
Worth County supervisors reported continuing uncertainty over regional Care Connections funding, possible returned funds to the state and upcoming state-level changes to HHS and public-health responsibilities; the board discussed potential severance and budgeting contingencies.
Supervisors used part of the meeting to report on regional and state developments affecting Care Connections, HHS and public-health services, including potential funding shortfalls and the possibility that unspent regional funds would be returned to the state.
Melissa (county staff) and board members said the region may have to return money — they cited a region-level amount in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars if funds are not spent down before a deadline. Board members discussed offering severance to regional employees to retain them through anticipated wind-down activities and noted a small number of regional assets (for example, a vehicle) might be distributed back to counties.
The supervisors also discussed legislative-level uncertainty. They reported that changes to the state’s HHS structure — including the use of Administrative Service Organizations (ASOs) and a later transition of some mental-health responsibilities to public health — leave counties unsure which entity will be responsible for outstanding bills after June 30. One supervisor advised counties to consider earmarking budget dollars in the coming cycle to pay for mandated services if needed.
Board members also reported on a recent meeting with a state senator and warned that property-tax reform is on the table; supervisors said the state has not finalized endgame plans for adjustments in property-tax formulas and noted that many details remain unsettled at the state level.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on Care Connections or the state changes; supervisors instructed staff to continue planning and to consider budgeting contingencies.
