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Isanti County staff warn governor’s proposed budget could shift millions in social‑service costs to counties
Summary
Health and human services staff told commissioners the governor’s proposed budget would shift substantial costs for disability waiver residential services and other programs to counties, estimating a potential levy increase of about $944,570 for waiver cost‑shifts; behavioral‑health and civil‑commitment cost shares also rose as concerns.
Isanti County health and human services staff on [date not specified] told commissioners that the governor’s proposed budget could shift significant costs to counties, notably in disability waiver residential services, behavioral health funds and civil‑commitment cost shares.
HHS staff reported the county has about 600 people eligible for disability waivers and roughly 134 receiving residential waiver services. Staff said a proposed 5% county cost‑share increase in waiver funding would amount to an estimated levy increase of about $944,570 for Isanti County under the assumptions presented.
HHS staff noted Isanti County serves a relatively high share of individuals with substantial needs and said the county lacks some of the community‑based services metro counties use to keep people in home settings. Staff said that, as a result, more individuals require residential placements that are more expensive than home‑based supports.
Behavioral‑health supervisors described smaller, but still material, impacts under the governor’s proposal. Staff said proposed changes to the civil‑commitment (MSOP/*** offender) cost share would raise the county’s annual share for current commitments — staff cited a current per‑case share of about $72,601 annually that could increase substantially under the proposal. Staff also said changes to the behavioral health fund could increase county costs by thousands of dollars annually for uninsured or under‑insured residents who do not qualify for medical assistance.
Commissioners and staff discussed the timing and uncertainty of the proposed state budget. County leaders said they and their associations are monitoring the proposal, and that additional advocacy and potential county‑level letters to lawmakers could follow as the legislature works through the governor’s recommendations.
Ending
Staff said the governor’s proposal remains draft budget language and could change as lawmakers deliberate; county staff and professional organizations will continue to monitor developments and advise the board on potential levy impacts and next steps.
