Benjamin's Hope tells Ottawa CMH board millage cut would force discharge of high‑need residents

Ottawa County — Christa Mason of Benjamin's Hope told the Ottawa County Community Mental Health board during public comment on Nov. 21 that the provider faces an immediate funding threat if the county discontinues millage funds.

Mason said Benjamin's Hope now serves 34 residents overall, 16 from Ottawa County; with two new homes opening the organization will serve 19 Ottawa residents and 44 total. She told the board labor costs have risen about 70% since 2018 while Benjamin's Hope has not received a rate increase from Ottawa County CMH for that period. She said the loss of millage funds would cut the provider's revenue by about $370,000 — roughly 23% of the funding that supports Ottawa County residents — a reduction she called "unsustainable."

"How, under these conditions, do you propose that we uphold the State's mandate to prioritize the needs of those with the most serious need?" Mason asked the board, referencing the Michigan Mental Health Code's priority for individuals with the most severe mental illness and developmental disability.

Board members asked follow-up questions. Michael (executive staff) confirmed some new placements are at higher rates but noted 16 existing Ottawa placements remain at the older, lower rates and are financially disadvantaged. The board did not adopt an immediate funding action during the meeting; Mason asked the board to "grapple" with the question of how to preserve mandated placements under current budget pressures.

The exchange joined a broader finance discussion at the meeting about a region-level Medicaid revenue shortfall and forecasting reforms; board members flagged the need to consider regional rate uniformity and advocacy to the state if funding structures change.