Northern Lakes CMH CEO: agency is "rebuilding" after investment liquidation, general fund tight

Linda Zeller, chief executive officer of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, told the Roscommon County Board that the regional agency is in a "rebuilding year" after liquidating investments in December 2024 and operating on incoming revenues while it restores reserves. "Our revenues were 87,000,000 and our expenses were 92," she said while reviewing the FY2025 packet and the agency's funding mix.

Zeller explained that roughly 90% of Northern Lakes' revenue is Medicaid and that only about $3,000,000 in general-fund monies provide the flexible funding counties rely on for creative local programs. She said the general fund must cover psychiatric inpatient stays and crisis services first, which compresses funds available for prevention and county-directed initiatives. "That is where we get to do the creative stuff that is important to the counties," she said, adding that rebuilding general-fund capacity is a priority.

Zeller asked county officials to participate in a multi-site public hearing on Sept. 10 to gather input that will inform an October strategic planning session. She also described ongoing work to resolve a dispute with the regional Medicaid entity and noted a current vacancy on the Northern Lakes jail worker position, which has affected service continuity. The presentation packet, including revenue and expense tables, was provided to commissioners in advance and discussed during the board meeting.

Next steps: Zeller asked commissioners to help publicize the Sept. 10 hearings and to remain engaged with the region’s finance and policy discussions so that county priorities can be included in strategic planning.