Meeting Notes 2-23-21

Written By Doug Zylstra
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Update from Public Health: Dr. Paul Heidel and Derel Glashower updated the Board on recent Covid statistics and news. Overall, the trend continues to improve. Ottawa County is currently showing a 3.1% positivity rate, with 33 cases per day, which gives us a 82.9 per million rate. All of these are levels we haven’t seen since summer 2020, and which are now allowing us to effectively carry out contract tracing contract tracing once again. Of the vaccinated population carried out by the the Health Department, 8.7% are non-white / hispanic vs a 6.2% baseline in the 65+ age range. This Thursday, the Health Department will be administering 1,700 doses at the Civic Center, and Friday 1,000 second doses at the GVSU Meijer campus.

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FY2020 and FY2021 Budget Adjustments: The Board approved budget adjustments processed during the month for appropriation changes and line item adjustments.

Idema Explorers Trail Stearns Bayou Service Contract: The Board approved the modification to the existing agreement with Prein & Newhof engineers for design and engineering of the Stearns Bayou Connector segment of the Idema Explorers Trail in the amount of $281,317.35.

Idema Explorers Ravines Connector Trail Easement: The Board approved the easement and construction agreements with Chad and Tami Ebel for the Idema Explorers trail route along the shoreline of the Grand River at the purchase price of $85,000.

Macatawa Greenway Real Estate Purchase Agreement: The Board approved the purchase of real estate with E & B Development Co., L.L.C. for the purchase of 5.5 acres in Holland Township at a price of $125,000.00 as part of the Macatawa Greenway and abutting Hawthorn Pond Natural Area.

2020 Budget Transfers: The Board approved the budget transfers between appropriations approved by the Administrator for $50,000 or less through 9/30/2020.

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2022 Budget Calendar: The Board approved the 2022 Budget Calendar. Note that the Commissioners’ Strategic Meeting will be scheduled for first two weeks of May.

Cadet Tuition Reimbursement: The Board approved an addendum to the County's tuition reimbursement policy to include Cadets employed by the Sheriff's Office.

Summary:

The purpose of this addendum is to establish a written, uniform policy and procedure through the County regarding tuition reimbursement for cadets employed by the Sheriff's Office. Ottawa County has long maintained a tuition reimbursement program to allow eligible, interested employees financial support in encouraging them to participate in furthering their education outside of work hours. The current tuition reimbursement program requires an employee to be benefitted to be eligible. The Cadet classificaiton currently does not fall into this catagory.

The Sheriff's Office has experienced a high number of retirements and has many employee that will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. There is a limited numbers of candidates to fill these openings. All local law enforcement agencies are experiencing this which makes finding qualifed candidates more competitive. This change would give an opportunity to a Cadet that has made a commitment to our organization, and allow us the opportunity to interview qualified, dedicated employees for our openings. This would allow us to retain them as they begin their long term career in the Road Patrol or Corrections Division.

The intent of this policy is to supplement, not replace, the current County tuition reimbursement policy and the tuition reimbursement provisions that may be contained in any existing collective bargaining agreement(s). The Sheriff's Office will identify cadets who are interested in furthering their career by attending a MCOLES certified police academy. The cadets selected will be eligible for reimbursement for expenses related to the police academy, including tuition, fees, and uniforms. If reimbursement is allowed, the employee agrees to remain in the County's employment for at least one (1) year after completion of the academy. If the employee leaves the County's employment before such time, the employee shall repay the County a proportionate share of the reimbursed expenses.

As our number of retirements continue to rise, this is being proposed as a one-year pilot to provide a clear understanding of the cost and benefit of this plan. Please refer to the proposed policy addendum included with this request.

Law Enforcement Deputy Sponsorship Program Pilot: The Board approved the proposal for a pilot deputy sponsorship program to include Non-Sworn Recruit positions to be filled by qualified candidates as they attend the GVSU police academy sponsored by the Sheriff's Office.

Summary:

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting the Board of Commissioners to approve the sponsorship of potential deputies to go through a certified MCOLES police academy in an effort to help with recruitment for both the E-Unit Paramedic program and road patrol deputies. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office is experiencing high turnover due to an increase in retirements; a trend that will continue over the next several years. Specifically, we are projecting an even higher demand for paramedic deputies. The paramedic deputies need an extensive amount of education and experience in paramedicine prior to attending an MCOLES Police Academy. MCOLES academies typically do not allow the perspective recruit to maintain full-time employment while attending the academy due to the time demands. Therefore, individuals must typically quit their full-time positions to attend the academy. This could mean going the length of the academy (up to 4 months) without an income or having insurance for their family. In addition, there are MCOLES rules in regard to sponsorship which requires the sponsor to provide certain pay and benefits while attending the academy. Given that our E-Unit positions are contracted positions with townships, they cannot go unfilled. In addition, we need to be competitive to attract talent to Ottawa County.

This is being proposed as a one-year pilot program, where we sponsor up to two recruits per academy to gain a clear understanding of the cost and benefit of this plan. The overall cost of sponsoring one (1) recruit is $35,893, which includes wages, benefits and the academy for a 4-month period. Upon successful completion of the academy, the recruit will then move into the Field Training program as a full-time Deputy. Please refer to the full proposal and sponsorship policy included with this request.



Community Mental Health Personnel Request: The Board approved the request from CMH to make the following position additions and changes at a total cost of $790,855.44. 1. Add a new Program Coordinator (COSSAP) at a 1.0 FTE
2. Add a new Mental Health Clinician (COSSAP) at a 1.0 FTE
3. Add a new Peer Recovery Coach (COSSAP) at a 1.0 FTE

4. Increase a Clerk position from 19.5 hrs to 20 hrs
5. Increase the Autism Supports Coordinator from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE
6. Increase the Registered Nurse for the Developmental Disabilities from .75 FTE to 1.0 FTE 7. Increase the Senior Reach Case Manager from .5 FTE to .75 FTE
8. Increase the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Clerk from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE
9. Increase the IDD Supports Coordinator Aide from .5 FTE to .6 FTE

10. Increase the IDD Supports Intensity Scale Mental Health Specialist/Assessor from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE 11. Add a new Program Coordinator Integrated Health at a 1.0 FTE
12. Add a new Program Coordinator Autism Services at a 1.0 FTE
13. Add a new Supports Coordinator Autism Services at a 1.0 FTE

14. Add a new Family Services Community Living Supports Program Aide at a 1.0 FTE

Summary:

CMHOC is requesting multiple staffing changes and new positions due to growth in service requests, securing additional grant funding, and increased Medicaid revenue. Approximately 7 years ago CMHOC went through significant layoffs due to decreased funding however, the workloads did not decrease. The number of individuals served has grown steadily over the years and they are at a point where the current staffing does not adequately cover their needs. Fortunately, the funding has stabilized due to adjustments in the Medicaid rate structure and additional grant dollars coming into the agency.

• CMHOC has recently been awarded a COSSAP grant (Comprehensive Opiate, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program). This $900,000 ($300,00 for 3 years) Department of Justice grant expands mental health and substance abuse treatment in our jail. The mission of the project is to reduce the impact of opioids, stimulants, and other substances for criminal justice involved persons in Ottawa County by expanding access to comprehensive supervision, treatment, and recovery support services.

The request is for 3 new positions for this grant:

1. Add a new Program Coordinator COSSAP - 1.0 FTE at a cost of $101,862 funded 50% by the COSSAP grant and 50% by millage 2. Add a new Mental Health Clinician COSSAP – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $90,152 funded by the COSSAP grant
3. Add a new Peer Recovery Coach COSSAP – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $62,963 funded by the COSSAP grant

• Due to increased demand for service and growth in CMH programs, the following increases in staff hours are being requested:

4. Increase the front desk Clerk – from 19.5 hrs to 20 hrs at a cost of $17,222 funded by Medicaid
5. Increase the Autism Supports Coordinator – from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE at a cost of $47,107 funded by Medicaid
6. Increase the Registered Nurse for the Developmental Disabilities-from 30 hrs to 1.0 FTE at a cost of $21,061 funded by Medicaid
7. Increase the Senior Reach Case Manager- from 20 hrs to 30 hrs at a cost of $18,894 funded by the millage
8. Increase the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Clerk – from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE at a cost of $33,755 funded by Medicaid
9. Increase the IDD Supports Coordinator Aide-from 20 hrs to 24 hrs at a cost of $10,503 funded by Medicaid
10. Increase the IDD Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) Mental Health Specialist/Assessor – from .5 FTE to 1.0 FTE at a cost of $40,482 funded by Medicaid

• Due to increased demand for service and growth in programs following new positions are being requested:

11. Add a new Program Coordinator Integrated Health – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $101,862 funded by the millage
12. Add a new Program Coordinator Autism Services – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $101,862 funded by Medicaid
13. Add a new Supports Coordinator Autism Services – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $80,972 funded by Medicaid
14. Add a new Family Services Community Living Supports (CLS) Program Aide – 1.0 FTE at a cost of $62,153 funded by Medicaid

Total Cost: $790,855.44 

Doug Zylstra
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