Post by rosa on Nov 10, 2009 8:59:02 GMT -7
During the seemingly endless so-called effort to address funding issues, City Mgr. Wilson went on another "cost-cutting" spree, and rather than looking inward to address the wasteful spending she continues to enjoy, she made cuts elsewhere while City Council looked on
as she targeted social service delivery in the city and county--in one of the poorest regions in the country
According to a few friends who are social workers, this allegedly included her support of the elimination of the Child Welfare Board.
The Child Welfare Board is an absolutely essential, critical resource for local and state agencies and the children they serve...including those who are in foster care, in dire need of the most basic means of care-including food and shelter and safety. And Wilson wanted to eliminate this board.
If Wilson was in on this, it did not appear that she had any concerns over whether or not it was in her power to eliminate this board as she had others--the talk was that she simply overstepped her bounds, and supported the elimination of the Child Welfare Board in order to "save money"
Fortunately, she was advised that this board is not under the city's control, and whatever efforts she made or supported were unsuccessful. I wonder how many city council memebers were aware of this effort, and whether or not any of them attempted to stop this. It's bad enough anyone in the county would consider such a thing
The city and Wilson are at it again, citing concerns about wasteful spending on behalf of taxpayers, so today, the city will consider terminating its funding of MHMR.
It is very difficult, in light of the way the city continues to propose increased taxes hither and yon, to understand why the city manager and city council would even consider such a funding cut.
Particularly when the city seems to experience so much trouble accounting for the way it continues to waste money.
MHMR provides critical services to the neediest among us. Shuffling off this responsibility to the county is an inappropriate and cynical way of addressing spending issues. Especially if Wilson and council continue to use "taxpayer relief" and "proper boundaries between city and county" as excuses to refuse funding care/services to residents who are challenged by mental health problems and/or mental retardation.
This is an unconscionable effort to "save money", especially when such discourse on more defined boundaries between city and county funding didn't appear to trouble Wilson when she supported the elimination of a board she has no control over.
This is from the local paper
Ending Mental Health Mental Retardation contract on City Council agenda today
By David Burge / El Paso Times
Posted: 11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
EL PASO -- The city government may end its involvement in the regional mental health authority.
City Council members today will consider whether to terminate a contract with the El Paso Mental Health Mental Retardation Center.
The city, county and University Medical Center, formerly Thomason Hospital, banded together in late 2000 to create the agency.
City Manager Joyce Wilson said the state requires that the county provide mental-health services.
"So the question is, should the city really be part of this interlocal agreement?" Wilson said. "City taxpayers are county taxpayers. The question is, are they paying for this service twice?"
A tight budget year is also playing a part in the city revisiting its participation, Wilson said.
The city contributes $100,000 a year in rent subsidies, cash or other assistance, Wilson said. Since the contract began, the city has contributed more than $800,000.
The Mental Health Mental Retardation Center has a $40 million annual budget. It provides services to people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.
Agency spokesman Rene Hurtado said the county contributes $500,000 a year and the hospital $325,000. Most of its money comes from state and federal contracts and grants, Hurtado said.
A City Council subcommittee has recommended ending the city's participation, and council members also talked briefly about it during summer budget hearings.
Hurtado said it was important to keep the city involved because
the state often looks at the amount of support from local governments when it awards grant money.
The City Council also appoints three of the nine members of the organization's board, he said. If the city pulled out, that would leave a big void, he said.
Hurtado said the agency interacts with the city daily, and is in constant contact with the Police Department and the public health department.
City Rep. Eddie Holguin Jr. chaired the council subcommittee that is recommending terminating the agreement.
"I think they provide a valuable service to the community. It's needed," Holguin said. "But the state has mandated this to the county, so the county should fund it."
Fellow city Rep. Beto O'Rourke said he initially supported terminating the contract but isn't sure now.
"I'm going into (today's) meeting with an open mind," he said.
The council will also discuss selling the city-owned building at 3410 Morenci Ave. that the mental-health agency uses rent-free. Proceeds would be donated to the group so it can move to a better location.
The agency does not want to buy the building, and it would cost more than the building is worth to renovate it, Wilson said.
El Paso Water Utilities is a possible buyer, she said. The utility would tear down the building and create a drainage project there, she said.
David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126.
as she targeted social service delivery in the city and county--in one of the poorest regions in the country
According to a few friends who are social workers, this allegedly included her support of the elimination of the Child Welfare Board.
The Child Welfare Board is an absolutely essential, critical resource for local and state agencies and the children they serve...including those who are in foster care, in dire need of the most basic means of care-including food and shelter and safety. And Wilson wanted to eliminate this board.
If Wilson was in on this, it did not appear that she had any concerns over whether or not it was in her power to eliminate this board as she had others--the talk was that she simply overstepped her bounds, and supported the elimination of the Child Welfare Board in order to "save money"
Fortunately, she was advised that this board is not under the city's control, and whatever efforts she made or supported were unsuccessful. I wonder how many city council memebers were aware of this effort, and whether or not any of them attempted to stop this. It's bad enough anyone in the county would consider such a thing
The city and Wilson are at it again, citing concerns about wasteful spending on behalf of taxpayers, so today, the city will consider terminating its funding of MHMR.
It is very difficult, in light of the way the city continues to propose increased taxes hither and yon, to understand why the city manager and city council would even consider such a funding cut.
Particularly when the city seems to experience so much trouble accounting for the way it continues to waste money.
MHMR provides critical services to the neediest among us. Shuffling off this responsibility to the county is an inappropriate and cynical way of addressing spending issues. Especially if Wilson and council continue to use "taxpayer relief" and "proper boundaries between city and county" as excuses to refuse funding care/services to residents who are challenged by mental health problems and/or mental retardation.
This is an unconscionable effort to "save money", especially when such discourse on more defined boundaries between city and county funding didn't appear to trouble Wilson when she supported the elimination of a board she has no control over.
This is from the local paper
Ending Mental Health Mental Retardation contract on City Council agenda today
By David Burge / El Paso Times
Posted: 11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM MST
EL PASO -- The city government may end its involvement in the regional mental health authority.
City Council members today will consider whether to terminate a contract with the El Paso Mental Health Mental Retardation Center.
The city, county and University Medical Center, formerly Thomason Hospital, banded together in late 2000 to create the agency.
City Manager Joyce Wilson said the state requires that the county provide mental-health services.
"So the question is, should the city really be part of this interlocal agreement?" Wilson said. "City taxpayers are county taxpayers. The question is, are they paying for this service twice?"
A tight budget year is also playing a part in the city revisiting its participation, Wilson said.
The city contributes $100,000 a year in rent subsidies, cash or other assistance, Wilson said. Since the contract began, the city has contributed more than $800,000.
The Mental Health Mental Retardation Center has a $40 million annual budget. It provides services to people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.
Agency spokesman Rene Hurtado said the county contributes $500,000 a year and the hospital $325,000. Most of its money comes from state and federal contracts and grants, Hurtado said.
A City Council subcommittee has recommended ending the city's participation, and council members also talked briefly about it during summer budget hearings.
Hurtado said it was important to keep the city involved because
the state often looks at the amount of support from local governments when it awards grant money.
The City Council also appoints three of the nine members of the organization's board, he said. If the city pulled out, that would leave a big void, he said.
Hurtado said the agency interacts with the city daily, and is in constant contact with the Police Department and the public health department.
City Rep. Eddie Holguin Jr. chaired the council subcommittee that is recommending terminating the agreement.
"I think they provide a valuable service to the community. It's needed," Holguin said. "But the state has mandated this to the county, so the county should fund it."
Fellow city Rep. Beto O'Rourke said he initially supported terminating the contract but isn't sure now.
"I'm going into (today's) meeting with an open mind," he said.
The council will also discuss selling the city-owned building at 3410 Morenci Ave. that the mental-health agency uses rent-free. Proceeds would be donated to the group so it can move to a better location.
The agency does not want to buy the building, and it would cost more than the building is worth to renovate it, Wilson said.
El Paso Water Utilities is a possible buyer, she said. The utility would tear down the building and create a drainage project there, she said.
David Burge may be reached at dburge@elpasotimes.com; 546-6126.