ADOPTED - MAY 12, 2009

Agenda Item No. 20

Introduced by the Human Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ADEQUATE STATE FUNDING TO HOLD COUNTIES HARMLESS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

RESOLUTION #09-145

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan, Department of Human Services was sued by Children’s Rights regarding the care of children in foster care and juvenile justice; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services settled the case out-of-court without consent or consultation from Michigan’s counties; and

WHEREAS, Michigan counties are the funding source for one-half of the costs of foster care and juvenile justice services in the State of Michigan; and

WHEREAS, the cost of the settlement agreement between the Department of Human Services and Children’s Rights would require Michigan’s counties to pay, without their consent, up to $32,000,000 per year statewide in calculable costs, with additional county costs evident that are not able to be calculated; and

WHEREAS, Michigan’s counties face staggering cuts to services across the board due to declining property tax base, state funding cuts to support mandated services, increasing responsibilities eliminated from the state government being forced to counties, and increasing state regulation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners urges the legislature and the Governor to hold counties harmless from the increased County Child Care Fund expenses associated with the agreement reached between the Department of Human Services and Children’s Rights.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to Governor Jennifer Granholm, the Ingham County state legislative delegation, and the Michigan Association of Counties for their consideration and action.

HUMAN SERVICES:  Yeas:  Davis, McGrain, Schor, Dougan, Vickers

    Nays:  None         Absent:  Tennis      Approved  5/04/09

FINANCE:  Yeas:  Grebner, Nolan, Bahar-Cook, Tennis, Davis, Dougan

    Nays:  None         Absent:  None        Approved  5/06/09