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Calhoun County approves $500,000 intergovernmental transfer for indigent care; board hears financial shortfall and other routine items
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Summary
The Board approved Res. 70‑2007 authorizing annual intergovernmental transfers of $500,000 to support Disproportionate Share Hospital payments to Battle Creek Health System, approved a $23,943 emergency management grant, accepted financial statements showing a $2.43 million shortfall for the year to date, and approved claims totaling $11,788,094.77.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on May 17 adopted Res. 70‑2007 authorizing intergovernmental transfers of $500,000 annually to the State of Michigan to participate in financing the non‑federal share of Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to Battle Creek Health System under the Indigent Care Agreements Pool. County Administrator Greg Purcell said the state adopted a change to the Medicaid plan (State Plan Amendment TN No. 05‑13, effective June 1, 2006) that requires updated indigent care agreements. Calhoun Health Plan Director Samantha Pearl said payments have been sent to the state quarterly for two years and summarized programs serving low‑income residents, including Plan B, advocacy, prescription drug access and dental care.
The motion (Res. 70‑2007), moved by Commissioner Rae and supported by Commissioner Arnquist, passed by roll call with six votes in favor and one abstention; Chairwoman Segal abstained because she serves as president of the Calhoun Health Plan.
Separately, the Board approved Res. 68‑2007 to accept a FY2007 Emergency Management Performance Grant of $23,943 that will cover part of the emergency services coordinator’s salary and fringe benefits; the vote was unanimous. Interim Finance Director Pam Kline reported that expenditures exceeded revenues by $2,432,114 for the first four months of 2007 and said the budget will remain in that condition until the July tax levy is received.
Administration also reported that the Battle Creek Downtown Development Authority granted the county $175,000 toward a $350,000 request to keep the Department of Human Services at the Toeller Building. A proposed Roads/Parks Work Pilot Program was withdrawn from the agenda because liability questions remain; Administrator Purcell said he expects the item to return at the June 7 meeting.
The Board approved the consent agenda and other routine items (Res. 67‑2007) and approved payment of claims totaling $11,788,094.77 for the week of May 8, 2007 (Res. 71‑2007). Public comment included two remarks from resident Gardy Berezonsky: one criticizing the removal of an agenda item and another questioning whether the Board had changed its rules to allow electronic voting; Berezonsky also raised concerns about inmate amenities in an earlier comment.