By: Diane Benjamin
Since Bloomington canceled the Committee of the Whole meeting last night, I watched the Normal meeting only because suspending contributions to the County Intergovernmental Agreement was on the agenda. Funding for Mental Health was the reason since that fund has $20 million plus. (Why-the-county-is-sitting-on-20-million-for-mental-health/)
The discussion was lengthy. I can’t say any of the speeches given were noteworthy. The best summary of why this was on the agenda was provided by City Manager Reece to begin discussions, just hit play below.
The vote to pause payments was 5-2, Lorenz and Roberge were the no votes. The audit proposal was passed, it won’t be just a financial audit. Administration of the Town, Bloomington, and the County plus others will be looking at what works, what hasn’t, and the future.
Lorenz, who is employed by Home Sweet Home Mission, didn’t recuse herself even though HSH got a huge chunk of the mental health spending for the downtown Bloomington village. Does she know more operating funds will be requested in the future? She also mentioned some software purchased for police that they hate. I’d like more details on that one.
Bloomington will be considering the same agenda items next Monday. The language was provided by the County but neither item has been approved by the County Board.
It appears to me that both Bloomington and Normal could vote to pause funding while the County Board doesn’t approve. I have no idea what happens from there since all 3 must agree to the review.
Susan Shaffer and Cory Beirne provided public comment. (1:30) Shafer was feisty, Beirne just hates stopping the money flow. Normal won’t be refunding any tax money, they will be keeping it for unspecified purposes in the general fund. Bloomington will do the same if they pass it.
There was some mentions of federal Medicaid cuts. Obviously facts aren’t readily available in whatever media they consume. Total Medicaid funding was increased. The only cuts are to people who never qualified to be on it. Others have work requirements – 80 hours a months.