Title
Support request to:
Assign $9,882,943 of Senate Bill 90 payments made in Fiscal Year 2014-15 for unfunded mandated health services rendered between Fiscal Years 2000-01 through 2003-04 to the Health Department for capital and infrastructure projects; and
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Budget Committee to the Board of Supervisors support request to:
Assign $9,882,943 of Senate Bill 90 payments made in Fiscal Year 2014-15 for unfunded mandated health services rendered between Fiscal Years 2000-01 through 2003-04 to the Health Department for capital and infrastructure projects; and
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
California Legislature enacted Senate Bill 90 to provide a reimbursement process for counties to leverage additional dollars for mandated services rendered that exceeded the categorical funding levels. The State was initially delayed in reimbursing counties for provision of mandated services and then ceased making payments completely even though counties continued to provide services. In the State's Fiscal Year 2002-03 Budget, the categorical funding was completely eliminated and an indefinite moratorium on SB 90 mandated reimbursements to local government was implemented, creating an acute hardship on local government.
The Governor's Budget May Revision FY 2014-15 indicated that $100 million in payments would be made to counties, cities, and special districts for pre-2004 mandate debt. In Fiscal Year 2014-15, the County of Monterey received $12.5 million for pre-2004 mandate debt. Of the amount received, $9.9 million is for mandated services provided by the Health Department as follows:
• $9.5 million for mandated AB 3632. In 1984 the California legislature enacted AB 3632 in order to maximize and coordinate the provision of mental health services to Seriously Emotionally Disturbed Students by State and County agencies in an effort to meet the federal mandate. The AB 3632 services were funded using 1991 Mental Health Realignment monies which are restricted for mental health services and staff recommends these monies be returned to Mental Health for future eligible services.
• $0.4 million for animal adoption services.
• $10 thousand for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome services rendered by the County's Health Officer.
The amounts reimbursed match the County Auditor Controller's accounting for Health Department balance due for invoices submitted to the State for mandated services rendered pre-2004.
The Departments seeks your support to assign up to $9.9 million of the pre-2004 SB 90 reimbursement to the Health Department for unfunded services rendered during that time period. With your support, the Health Department will be able to utilize these onetime monies for investing in capital and infrastructure projects. As you may be aware, the Health Department is unable to meet the demand for both physical health and mental health services in our existing facilities - we are over capacity. Assignment of this money for future clinic expansion and construction will help improve access for Monterey County residents for much needed physical and mental health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Health Department has been in discussions with the County Auditor-Controller and County Administrative Office regarding this recommendation. The Auditor-Controller Office's SB 90 State Mandated Cost Claim summary was used to build this report. The Department is bringing this policy decision forward to the Budget Committee for consideration.
FINANCING:
In Fiscal Year 2014-15, the State of California reimbursed the County of Monterey $12.5 million dollars for unfunded mandated services rendered through Fiscal Year 2003-04. Of the amount received, $9.9 million is for mandated services provided by the Health Department of which $9.5 million is for mandated AB 3632 services.
Prepared by: Elsa Jimenez, Assistant Director of Health, 4743
Approved by: Ray Bullick, Director of Health, 4526