HIGHLIGHTS from May 27 Board of Commissioner Meeting and VOTE EXPLANATIONS:
Board Agenda – https://boards.miottawa.org/…/01/05272025-BOC-Agenda.pdf
Board Packet – https://boards.miottawa.org/…/05272025-BOC-Agenda…
Board Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/_-mUpZ8pPyM
Board Meeting Minutes: https://boards.miottawa.org/…/uploads/2025/01/BC052725.pdf
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Mental Health Funding Resolution
Suggested Motion: To approve the Resolution addressing mental health funding shortfalls at the State.
***I voted in favor and this motion passed 10-0.***
2. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding Resolution
Suggested Motion: To approve the Resolution supporting continued funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
***I voted against this and the motion passed 6-4.***
3. Contract 2603 from Public Health – to approve a $10,000 grant with the Michigan Public Health Institute to secure trainings for public health staff in preparation for the 2026 local public
health accreditation cycle.
***I voted against and this motion failed 5-5.***
ACTION ITEM 1 VOTING EXPLANATION:
Addressing state wide mental health funding shortfalls is a top priority in Ottawa County. Dr. Brashears continues to present information in Lansing and beyond and our CMH Board is diligently working on the behalf of many individuals and families that we seek to serve.
Important details of the resolution:
The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners urgently calls on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Legislature, and the Governor to:
1. Fully allocate appropriated Medicaid behavioral health funds to CMHSPs in fiscal
year 2025 and beyond.
2. Ensure capitation rates are actuarially sound at the regional and local levels, and
reflect the actual cost of service delivery, including inpatient care, specialized
residential treatment, and autism services.
3. Rectify the misclassification of Medicaid beneficiaries, ensuring individuals are
enrolled in appropriate coverage categories with mental health benefits.
4. Account for new cost drivers, including legislative changes such as paid sick leave
and minimum wage increases.
5. Significantly reduce unnecessary administrative requirements that increase
overhead without improving outcomes.
While Ottawa County will continue to administer its capitated funds in the Medicaid CMH program which it is operating within its boundaries in the most efficient way possible, it hereby puts the State of Michigan on notice that legally it cannot and will not use its general funds to cover the State of Michigan’s deficit in the entitlement Medicaid CMH program to which it has agreed with the United States.
ACTION ITEM 2 VOTING EXPLANATION:
I concur with the research done on Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by fellow commissioner Joe Moss:
– GLRI has been renewed by Congress multiple times over the past 15 years and some of the work done by recipients of GLRI funding is important.
– President Trump tried to slash 90% of funding in 2019, until he was talked out of it by representatives in Congress.
– Funding for GLRI was not included in the Big Beautiful Bill that passed the House last week.
– The resolution advocates for $3.5 billion over the next 7 years.
– GLRI has long-term goals, including safe water, eliminating harmful algae blooms, and support for “Justice40.”Justice40 was a “whole-of-government” initiative by the Biden Administration to address what they called “the devastating effects of climate change and to promote environmental justice.” On Day 1, President Trump abolished race-based “environmental justice” initiatives in the Federal Government this year when he signed an executive order titled, “Ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity.” Thankfully, Justice40 content has since been deleted from the Whitehouse website and should be deleted from the GLRI website that’s run by the EPA.
– The EPA should take a fresh look at what this program is funding, and why.
To underscore the importance of looking at the details, here is some additional information we received from the county about GLRI:
– Ottawa County has received grants in prior years for various projects from the GLRI funding approved by Congress.
– The Audubon Society received ~$500,000 in 2021 for a project related to wetland restoration.
– The 71 page report contained information on habitats, bird migration, climate change, and more.
– On page 21, the report claims, “conservation is only successful when [racially] diverse groups of people are included in the process” and continues to explain that “visitation to [Ottawa County’s] natural areas tend to be largely comprised of white, wealthy people.”
The report goes on to mention how “Black or African American populations” from Kent County could engage with the natural areas, and how various groups supporting DEI ideology could extend their work into Ottawa County, in efforts to continue pushing their race-based ideology.
Upon further research on the Audubon Society three questions were explored:
What is their stance on DEI?
How much money do they pay their CEO?
What is the true purpose of Audubon?
Question 1: What is their stance on DEI?
Their website is filled with progressive language, DEI, and information about creating “dedicated space for LGBTQ Bird Lovers.”
They even have a public “Climate Pledge” on their website that you can sign to tell elected leaders, “we are in a climate emergency and it is wreaking havoc on our communities, our lands, and our waters.”
This isn’t the type of organization I want to fund with taxpayer dollars.
Question 2: How much money do they pay their CEO?
Data from 2021:
– the same year Ottawa County benefited from the $500,000 wetland restoration grant.
– The former CEO reportedly worked 0 hours per week and made $1.2M in compensation in 2021.
– The new CEO worked full time and also received $700,000 in 2021.
Question 3:What is the true purpose of Audubon?
– Audubon does not receive its own financial statements. Its operations are consolidated with National Audubon Society Action Fund.
– This means the 501(c)(3) portion of Audubon is wrapped into the 501(c)(4) organization, a political organization aligned with the Democrat Party, with a mission to “mobilize millions of Americans” and “advance equity, diversity, and inclusion.”
Their website homepage currently says, “Birds can’t vote, but you can.”
The United States is $76 trillion in debt.
DOGE is slashing fraud, waste, and abuse across the government.
The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans should take a PAUSE and put GUIDELINES on GLRI before reauthorizing it again.
ACTION ITEM 3 VOTING EXPLANATION:
Explanation: MPHI is a highly woke progressive nonprofit (i.e. DEI and climate change) that was created by our Michigan legislature decades ago and has continued to grow likely outside the scope of the statutes and is not in alignment with the current MAHA agenda. Big changes are needed at the state level and must begin here locally. When we demonstrate with our votes that we will not participate with nonprofits that go against our values, we send a clear message to our state elected officials that change is needed —change where the health of our community and state are not run inadvertently through nontransparent NGO’s.
