SMETHPORT — The McKean County commissioners went on the record Tuesday opposing proposed state funding cuts for human services and criminal justice programs for fiscal year 2017-18 as included in House Bill 218.
According to the resolution that gained commissioners’ unanimous approval, HB 218 calls for sweeping cuts in funding for criminal justice, human services and administrative programs that counties perform on the state’s behalf, amounting to millions of dollars.
For McKean County, these budget reductions could mean an estimated loss of $627,744. They include the following: juvenile probation, $41,619; adult probation, $123,291; intermediate punishment programs, $74,423; senior judge reimbursements, $5,888; court interpreter county grants, $538; county court reimbursement, $289,680; juror’s cost reimbursement, $1,981; Human Services Development Fund, $54,132; and homeless assistance, $36,192.
Several departments who attended the meeting spoke about the huge impact these proposed reductions would have on their services and program. Teresa Wilcox, director of Juvenile Probation, said, “These cuts would be devastating to the juvenile and adult probation programs that are functioning well. With this loss of funding, some programs may not exist.”
Court Administrator Joanne Bly also said these cuts would be “devastating,” adding, “they would be an increased burden to the taxpayers.”
Lee Sizemore, director of Human Services, said the house bill eliminates money for the Human Services Development Fund that the county uses to operate STEPS, a mental health consumer-run program that offers social and recreational activities for communities receiving mental health services. “This is a real priority for us, and STEPS will not close,” she said.
Speaking about the benefits of the STEPS Drop In Center in Bradford, program coordinator Tina Hubbard said, “The center is a safe place for social and recreational activities that are not available anywhere else.”
Following the meeting, Commissioner Carol Duffy said the county had not anticipated these reductions and included the money in the current county budget.
In another vote, the commissioners approved the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers Local Union 110 that covers the two county detectives. Over the course of the four-year agreement that covers Jan. 1, 2016, through Dec. 31, 2019, salary increases will be 2.25 percent for the first three years and a 2.5 percent hike in the final year, according to Kathy Roche, director of human resources. The contract also includes an insurance policy offered by the Teamsters that covers liability for legal fees, if incurred.
Commissioners also approved an annual contribution of $2,000 for five years to the Essential Emergency Support Training Program at the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9’s Career and Technical Center in Port Allegany.
In a letter from the EESTP Advisor Board, that Duffy read aloud at the meeting, it was stated that the program “will give our youth the opportunity to learn about local fire, emergency medical services and criminal justice while serving our community as a recruitment tool for our local first responders. Graduates of the classes will be prepared to become certified in fire and emergency medical technician training.”
Commissioners agreed to an amendment to the agreement with the Department of Human Services for the McKean County Family Services grant. The current agreement expires on June 30, and the amendment extends the current grant agreement until June 30, 2019 and changes monthly invoicing to quarterly invoicing.
Under the terms of another resolution that was OKd, the county approved a project modification request from the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority to extend the Mental Health Justice Housing Grant for an additional year.
Commissioners have proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in McKean County. Commissioners approved an invoice for $175,975 for the Area Transportation authority, which represents the first quarter actual/third quarter advance payment for fiscal year 2015-17 for the Medical Assistance Transportation Program that the agency operates on the county’s behalf.
Rhett Kennedy was reappointed to a five-year term on the Area Transportation Authority.
Numerous service provider agreements were approved for the Department of Human Services.
