Adult Drug Court funding under review
State cuts threaten programBy Fritz Busch Journal Staff Writer
NEW ULM - On Tuesday, Brown County Commissioners reviewed the 2010 Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan (BNW) Adult Drug Court budget request subject to participation by the other two counties.
In July the board unanimously approved an appropriation of $5,300 as 2010 supplemental funding for BNW Adult Drug Court operations expenses. The decision was contingent on supplemental funding by Nicollet and Watonwan counties, and subject to final 2010 budget approval.
The request eventually became a "call-back" item during budget talks.
In a letter from Nicollet County Attorney Michael Riley to Nicollet County Coordinator Robert Podhradsky, Riley stated he would commit $6,000 from the County Attorney's discretionary forfeiture fund for 2010 drug court funding. His offer was in response to a decision by Nicollet County commissioners not to appropriate $6,615 as the county's share of a $15,000 budget shortfall for the 2010 BNW Drug Court.
Riley wrote that he was convinced that, like many state-run programs, the concept was presented to county commissioners with the notion that these problem-solving courts were a concept of the state and state judiciary and would never become a trickle-down financial commitment of counties.
Riley wrote that the situation changed due to the unfortunate financial crisis the governor and Legislature placed on the court system through an unconscionable lack of funding and commitment.
Riley stated funding cuts started last year with the public defender system and now endanger core functions of the state public safety system.
Brown County District Court Judge John Rodenberg said the Adult Drug Court program not only saved jail, legal and lost job costs estimated at several times program expenses, but also it kept many families from losing children to foster care.
"There have been tremendous successes with the program," Rodenberg said. "I understand you are under budget pressure, but I ask you to consider drug court funding. ... It's a good program that does the right things."
In October 2007, the Fifth Judicial District got a $350,000 federal Bureau of Justice Assistance grant for BNW and Faribault-Martin-Jackson (FMJ) counties. That funding ends Dec. 31.
Last year, Nicollet County Probation got a two-year, $200,000 Department of Human Services (DHS) grant for BNW. That funding ends June 30, 2010.
Brown County commissioners will review 2010 the Drug Court funding budget amount in December.
Landfill
By a 4-1 vote with Richard Seeboth dissenting, commissioners tabled proposed revisions to the contract with Mathiowetz Enterprises, Inc. to operate the Brown County Landfill for three years.
Negotiated contract rates were $258,281 in 2010; $263,648 in 2011 and $270,533 in 2012. Increases were 2 percent in 2010 and 2011 and 2.5 percent in 2012.
Increased fuel and health insurance costs were cited for contract hikes.
Mathiowetz would reimburse the county if fuel prices fall below $2 in 2010; $2.04 in 2011; and $2.08 in 2012. The county will reimburse Mathiowetz if fuel rises above $2.65 in 2010; $2.70 in 2011 and $2.76 in 2012.
Commissioners approved:
2010 detoxification services from Brown County Evaluation Center, Inc. at the same rates as 2009.
CADI (Community Alternatives for Disabled Adults) waiver contract for Connections Homes administered by Greater Minnesota Family Services at a $268.37 daily rate and $8,162 monthly (all federal and state funds) from Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2010.
The county pays $1,500-$1,700 monthly separate room and board fees.
An agreement with New Ulm Medical Center for pre-placement team consultation on mental health aspects of child and family services @ $90/hr., Nov. 1, 2009 through Dec. 31, 2010.
Up to date costs in 2009 under the contract are $624.
Long-Term Care Consultation Contract with Brown County Family Services and Brown County Public Health @ $120/hr. from Oct. 1, 2009 through Sept, 30, 2011. Assessments are done with nurses and social workers.
Last year, the county family services received $44,757.04 from nursing homes to provide the service.
(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).
