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Clay County officials warn governor's budget shifts could raise local costs; commissioners direct staff to brief legislators
Summary
County staff told commissioners projected state budget changes—higher county shares for disability waivers, behavioral health and other programs—could meaningfully increase Clay County's levy; commissioners directed staff to draft and send a letter to legislative leaders and the governor outlining the expected impact.
Clay County social services staff briefed the board April 22 on potential county fiscal impacts if provisions in the governor's 2025 budget proposal take effect, and the board voted to have staff send a formal letter to legislative leaders and the governor's office describing projected cost shifts.
Quinn, the county's social services director, told commissioners the governor's package would shift costs for several programs to counties: a proposed 5% county share for residential disability-waiver services could translate to roughly $1.23 million in new county costs based on recent placements; the governor's proposal would also move the county share for some behavioral health funding to 50% and eliminate an administrative allocation the county currently receives, increasing local exposure. Quinn said those shifts, together with other proposed changes, could produce a multi-year levy pressure in the low single-digit percentage points if enacted.
"These are unavoidable, service-driven costs," Quinn told the board, asking commissioners to consider advocacy with legislators. "We need to show what a 5% shift on residential services does to a county our size and what limits it would place on services." The county identified program and implementation risks, including the need for more case-management staff, training and upgrades to the case-management system (SSIS) to accommodate increased documentation demands.
After discussion, Commissioner Mojo moved, and the board approved, a directive that staff prepare and send a letter to House and Senate leadership and to the governor explaining Clay County's projected fiscal impacts and levy implications if the proposed changes are enacted. Commissioners said the data will be used to press for changes or funding at the Capitol.
Next steps: staff will compile modeled cost numbers for county legislative outreach and provide a copy of the draft letter to commissioners prior to transmission.
