Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2018
6:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders; and
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider approval to publish 2019 Budget public hearing notice in the Journal World for Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
(3) Continued discussion about future behavioral health initiatives.
(4) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Board of Zoning Appeals (1) positions 10/17
-Building Code of Appeals Board (2) positions 12/16
-Community Corrections Advisory Board (1) position
-JAAA Advisory Council (2) position
-JAAA Board of Directors (1) position
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(5) Adjourn
July 18, 2018
Thellman called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 with all members present.
BUDGET HEARING NOTICE 07-18-18
After receiving no public comment, Thellman moved to approve the publication of the 2019 Budget Hearing Notice in the Journal World for Wednesday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE 07-18-18
The Board continued public discussion on future behavioral health initiatives.
Thellman asked Craig Weinaug to review the basic funding options that could be considered with a ballot question in November (also stated at the July 11, 2018 meeting):
• A dedicated 4.3 mills of property tax authority.
• The half-cent sales tax under the statutory authority used to advance Proposition 1.
• A quarter-cent sales tax under the statutory authority pursuant to K.S.A. 19-15,114 et seq. and K.S.A. 12-187. That statute also allows the county to ask for a three-quarter cent, half-cent or 1-cent sales tax increase.
Thellman asked if it is possible to combine a quarter-cent sales tax and a portion of a mill to get enough funding to cover the behavioral health initiative as originally proposed on one ballot question.
Weinaug responded he had not anticipated that question and would have to do some research. It would complicate the question because you would need to add language to authorize exceeding the property tax lid, express which funding would be authorized for debt or both, plus you would have to describe the program.
Thellman said the other option is to go to the legislature and ask for a quarter-cent sales tax. She asked if this quarter-cent can be customized to meet our purposes where the quarter-cent for medical use has to be tied to just that, a medical facility.
Weinaug stated that is correct. The authorizing language for sales tax for counties is either in half-cent or quarter-cent increments. The authorizing language for cities permits increments as small as one-tenth of a penny. Under current legislation there is no way to request an exact funding amount, such as 3/10 of a cent. What you might ask the legislation for is to give counties the same funding authorization to break a penny into tenths rather than quarters which would allow the county to ask for the same funding dollar amount that was proposed in May.
Thellman also asked for clarification that a sales tax can be sunsetted, but a property tax levy cannot. Weinaug stated that is correct. The Bond Counsel is 99% sure a quarter-cent sales tax for a health initiative can be sunsetted. A 100% surety will take more research.
Thellman asked if it is possible to sunset a portion of a sales tax for instance for just the brick and mortar building or does the sunset have to cover the entire amount. Weinaug stated he cannot answer that but would do more research.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Belinda Davis, representative of Justice Matters, said Justice Matters is in support of a quarter-cent sales tax option solely for mental health services, retirement of building debt and a sunset clause tied to expiration of the building debt and strong accountability through an annual financial and service audit performed by an independent firm.
Ron Wilson, 627 N 750 Road, stated he would like to see a half-cent sales tax because it takes care of the future and would allow for some unforeseen problems.
Russ Johnson, CEO Lawrence Memorial Hospital, stated he has no position on the tax levy. He said he appreciates how the county has considered the expertise of the agencies involved in the mental health initiative. He predicts we will continue to see federal and state mental health money scaled back as it has over the past 20 years. Johnson said whatever solution we decide as a community and what we want to do for people will be up to us. As we consider this, the proposal is already going to be insufficient for the portfolio of services we’ve already identified. It gives us pause to think about issues around the opioid crisis and continued construction of major players in this arena. Johnson said he is thankful to this community because we are going to do something wonderful and we have the capacity because of the engagement of the community and the providers working together. He said our pledge to you is whatever you decide we will work with you as partners in getting the most out of what you think is right.
Joanna Harader, 3007 W 29th Terrace, said she would be excited to see another initiative on the ballot. Her concern is we need to fund the whole package by using a quarter-cent sales tax and exploring other financial partners such as surrounding county participation and other resources.
Matthew Faulk, 1003 Lawrence Avenue, stated he wants 1) the Commission to keep in mind that raising property taxes to fund this project would cause landlords to raise their rent to cover property taxes making housing unaffordable for those on a limited income; and 2) we need to consider flexible funding where money isn’t tied to certain things.
David Aber, 3902 Tumbleweed Court, stated he has experience working at substance abuse and mental health cottages. A facility like that in Douglas County would be good to serve all populations.
Daniel Martin, Douglas County resident, said he volunteers at the Douglas County Jail. He wants the Commission and citizens to be aware there is no physical fitness option for inmates. The basketball equipment has been removed due to insurance issues. He would like to see more money to support physical activity for inmates.
Melinda Henderson, Lawrence resident, said she was interested in hearing about the lack of recreational facilities at the jail because she still worries about the safety of the people at the jail. She feels a sales tax is the best way to fund the mental health initiative and she would support whichever amount the Commission feels would best provide for the program. However, Henderson said she does not want to see property tax used to cover any of this initiative.
Rose Schmidt, Lawrence resident, read an email submitted by the Lawrence Sunset Alliance supporting a quarter-cent sales tax option for improving mental health services.
Thellman closed public comment.
It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with a ballot question for the November election. The ballot language will be discussed at the 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 15 County Commission meeting. Staff will then seek approval from the bond counsel on the proposed language. The Board will vote on the ballot language at the 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 22 meeting.
Gaughan added there has been a lot of focus on the brick and mortar part of the Behavior Health Project, but the original proposed $5.7 million plan that was put forward in the spring was heavy on operational costs. The cost of the building was only three-quarters of a million. A huge swath of the project is for services, not just a crisis center. None of the services envisioned in the spring proposal needs to be tossed out. With this ballot question we need to provide a mechanism to fund the needs the community has whether that be mental health or behavioral health and provide future commissions with the tools to make that happen.
ACCOUNT PAYABLE 07-18-18
Thellman moved to approve payroll in the amounts of $521,351.03 paid on 07/19/18, and $223.45 to be paid on 07/18/18. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT 07-18-18
Ron Wilson, 627 N 650 Road, stated he agrees with Commission Gaughan’s comments in the behavior health initiative. Wilson said his other comments are related to three complaints he sent to Douglas County for review and is unhappy that he has not received a response.
Thellman moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Michelle Derusseau, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member
Time and Date