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HHS proposes 2025 budget with $202,032 levy request as ARPA funding winds down
Summary
HHS staff presented a proposed 2025 budget that combines some funds, incorporates wage and insurance increases, budgets a new behavioral-health position funded by grants, and requests an additional $202,032 in county levy to replace expiring ARPA support and preserve services.
Stephanie (HHS budget staff) presented the department’s proposed 2025 budget to the committee, saying it was submitted to county administrators and incorporates the wage and insurance numbers the county directed staff to use.
She said fund-line changes include combining Fund 59 (nutrition) with Fund 63 into a single elderly-services fund to increase flexibility. The proposal also budgets a new AODA outpatient position that will be funded across three grants (referred to in discussion as 'soar grama', a 'tag' grant, and the MAT grant for jail-based treatment) and includes a contracted mental-health therapist position that has since been filled, which staff said will produce cost savings versus continued contracting.
Stephanie told the committee the department asked for a $202,032 increase in levy for 2025. She said that request includes wage and insurance increases and that placement funds for children and youth were not increased. She also noted that some public-health spending rose as ARPA funds are spent down, requiring adjustments in the base budget.
Trish (HHS) added that children's services now include prevention and reunification lines intended to reduce placement costs over a multi-year period, and that funds were built in to allow earlier intervention for families to avoid foster placements where possible. Committee members asked whether economic-support workers and bilingual pay were included in the wage assumptions; presenters confirmed they were.
No formal action to adopt the 2025 budget was taken at the meeting; staff said the next step is to have county administrators compile department submissions and determine final numbers.
