HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-008RESOLUTIT-ON NO. 83- 8
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE
SERVICES OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND MENTAL
HEALTH DISTRICT BOARD NO. 9 TO PROVIDE A FAIR
AND REASONABLE PER CAPITA FUNDING FORMULA FOR
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ALCOHOL REHABILITATION
SERVICES IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY.
WHEREAS, Indian River County was included with Palm
Beach County in Mental Health District Board No. 9 in 1977, and
WHEREAS, Indian River County was assured at the time of
merger of the previous Boards that this County's needs would be
satisfied through a fair funding formula, and
WHEREAS, through a series of allocation actions Indian
River County has not received adequate funds for services and the
funds that have been received have been allocated according to a
formula which does not treat Indian River County residents fairly,
and
WHEREAS, the per capita needs for services of these
kinds are the same regardless of the County, its size or
population, and
WHEREAS, the earmarking of funds for specific purposes
and uses in specific counties deprives Indian River County
residents of a fair distribution of their tax dollars, and
WHEREAS, the distribution of in-patient and residential
mental health care facilities in the five -county area is
inequitable; a 15 -bed facility serves all four counties while Palm
Beach County is served by in excess of 160 beds, and
WHEREAS, South Florida State Hospital has also reduced
its capacity to serve residents of Indian River County further
highlighting the problem, and
WHEREAS, it appears that the per capita allocation of
state funded mental health treatment beds is weighted in favor of
Palm Beach County to the detriment of the remaining four counties,
and
WHEREAS, the current budget for the nine month period
ending June 30, 1983, provides per capita allocations of $5.03 for
residents in the four. -county area and $8.82 for residents of Palm
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r,
Beach County for mental health and alcohol related services, and
WHEREAS, the residents of Indian River County demand
fair treatment from the State legislature and the Mental Health
Board No. 9, and
WHEREAS, Mental Health Board No. 9 has agreed at the
request of Indian River County to conduct a complete review of the
funding mechanisms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS SITTING IN REGULAR SESSION this 19th day of
January , 1983, that
1. Indian River County requests the legislature not to
earmark funds for specific counties or purposes in the next fiscal
year and further requests that all such funds be expended
according to the Mental Health District Plan, and
2. Indian River County requests our legislative
delegation to take the necessary step- to assure their
constituents in Indian River County receive a fair share of State
funding for these services, and
3. Mental Health Board No. 9 is once again requested to
review their funding formula and change it so as to provide the
four -county area with adequate funds to meet our residents needs.
The foregoing resolution was offered by Commissioner
Lyons who moved its adoption. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Wodtke and, upon being put to a vote, the
vote was as follows:
Chairman Richard N. Bird Aye
Vice -Chairman Don C. Scurlock, Jr. Aye
Commissioner A. Grover Fletcher Nay
Commissioner Patrick B. Lyons Aye
Commissioner William C. Wodtke, Jr. Aye
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly
passed and adopted this 19th day of January , 1983.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
RICHARD N. BIRD
Chairman
Attest•✓ c�
•FREDA WRIGHT, Cler
APP4M.
TO FO "
ANDFFIC CY:
By:i%
RANDENB G, Coun y Attorney
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