HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-28 03-147 RESOLVECOUNCILAMGR
Item No. 03-147
Date: Apol 20, 2003
Item/Subject Resolve, Expressing Concern Wer Budget Reductions In the State of Maine
Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services.
Responsible Department: City Council
For years, the State of Maine has struggled on develop a community services and support model for
non -Institutionalised citizens with behavioral and deveiopmental service needs. As this system
developed, services have been provided by both public and not for profit institutions. As the primary
service center in our part of the State, Bangor Is Me home NO many of the dozens in need of
community based services as well as of many of the organizations that provide services.
Recently, a coalition of semce providers met with the City Council m express their concerns over the
potential impacts that may result from reductions in the budget for the Department of Behavior -al
and Developmental Services. They indicated concerns that many community based services would
have to be reduced or eliminated with negative effects on those in need of services, service
providers, and communities that would potentially be required to expend their resources to address
unmet needs.
As a result of that meeting, a number of Councilors reluested that a resolve be prepared that
outlines our concerns and requests the creation of a dialogue among all of the paries Orion an
interest in this area. That resolve is attached.
Departinent Head
Manager's Comments:
At the last meeting, the City Council requested that this item be tabled for some additional work and
revision. Since then, I have communicated with several Councilors and revised the initial resolve.
The revised resolve has been circulated to the members of the Coundl, and no further
changes/revisions have been requested. In order to expedite this matter, it is returning be the
Council for this meeting. QQnn
City Manager
Associated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval:
Finance Director
Legal Approval
CM Solicitor
Introduced for
X Passage
_ First heading Page_ M
Referral
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CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE) RESOLVE, Calling Upon the State of Maine the Preserve and Enhance Community
Based Services for Citizens in Need of Behavioral and Developmental Services.
WHEREAS, the qty of Bangor takes great pride in the quality of He enjoyed by all ta Mona ; and
WHEREAS, for some citizens with special needs, that quality of the depends upon community services
delivered by both Pudic and not-for-profit organizations located in and around the City of
Bangor; and
WHEREAS, the recent budget crisis vperienced by the Sake of Maine has resulted in significant
reductions in a wide variety of State expenditures; and
WHEREAS, expenditure reductions in the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services may
aged the area of community servkg; and
WHEREAS, reductions In commurey, services are most Illady to affect the most vulnerable of our
citizens —penins not covered by MaineGre and persons who are homeless; and
WHEREAS, Me proposed reductions may all most heavily on nonprofit service providers and may
result in job reductions and other cutbacks at Mese agencies Mat will have a negative
unload in our region; and
WHEREAS, Me Inability to provide appmpdate community based services may result in additional
demands on the protective services of municipalities that are home M indhiduals with such
needs, resulting in additional expenses M Mese communities that otherwise would he
avaded; and
WHEREAS, Govemor John E. Baldaai B pursuing administrative reorganizations and change designed
M reduce overhead and eliminate duplication in services, changes mat may result in
efidencies necessary, M insure the continuation of mar necessary services; and
WHEREAS, Shen budge limitations and the State Administration's efforts In identify and implement
administrative and programmatic efficiencies, it is essential that a high level of eRettwe
communications be maintained between Stall ofMtlal% service providers, and local
community leaders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY WE CRY COUNQL OF THE QTY OF BANGOR, THAT
the City Council, on behalf of the access of Bangor, hereby expresses gs support for the preservation
and enhancement of community based services for citizens in need of behavioral and developmental
services. We urge the Governor, legislature, all members of the State administration to work diligently
oa-147
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to Identify methods and means tu Weare that sudr services are maintained at an appropda@ level while
recogniang the budge issues that content the State of Maine. We urge that all parties, including
representatives of service providers, the city, the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services,
and the legislative and eaccuiNe branches Moate government, walk together to create a dialogue
designed W insure the continued provison of an adequate level of community based services be those In
need.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the City Clerk provide copies of this esdve to Governor John E.
Baldacd, the Director of the Deparhnent of BehaAaral and Developmental Services, and the Co -Chairs of
the Legislatures Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
., Assigned to Councilor Ailey April 28, 2003
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE) RESOLVE, Expressing ncem overB i n in the Slabs of Mine
Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services
WHEREAS, the City, of Bangor takes great pride in the Quality of Iffe enjoyed by all Its cthens; and
WHEREAS, for some driven with special needs that quality of life depends upon community services
delivered by bath public and nM -fa -profit oManhadons Ircated In and around the City of
Bangor; and
WHEREAS, the recent budget crisis experiemmd by the Stam of Maine has resulted in a significant
reduction in expenditures impacting those agencies providing a vanety of critical servicss;
and
WHEREAS, a significant portion of the expenditure reductbns which are to take place in the
Department of Behavioral and Developmental SerAces are in the area of community
services; and
WHEREAS, these reductions in community services are most likely M affect the most vulnerable of our
citizens — persons not covered by MalneCare and persons who are homeless; and
WHEREAS, the proposed reductions may fall most heavily on non-profit service provides and may
result in job reductions; and other cutbacks at these agendes Mac will haw: a negative
Impact in our region; and
WHEREAS, the failure to provide appropriate community based services may result in additional
demands on the protective services of munidpalitles that are home ro Individuals with
needs for Mese services, resulting in additional expenses to Mese communities Mat
otherwise would be avoided.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY WE CITY COUNCIL OF INE CITY OF BANOOR, THAT
the City Council, on behalf of the dti2ens of Bangor, hereby expresses our concem over the proposed
reduction in community service funding. We urge the Governor and members of the State legislature M
take actions to minimize the impact of this decision and to ensure that these essential services continue
to be provided. We urge Mat all parties, Including representatives of service providers, the city, the
Depamnem of Behavioral and Developmental Sevier, and the legislative and executive branches of
State government work together he create a dialogue resigned he address Mese concerns and insure
the continued provision of an adequate level of community based seraces to these in need
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT the City Clerk provide copies of this resolve M Govenor ]ohm E.
Baldacci, the Directs of Me Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, and the Co{hYrs of
the Legislatures Mint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs.
IA CIS[ CDOgCIL
April 28, 2003
Motion Made and seeoaded
to Table and Refer
Rack to the Government
Operations Committee
Tabled
T
IM CIT[ CODDCIL
May 12, 2D03
Native Made and Secooded
for Passage
Motion Made and Succored
to Amend by Substitution
Ray Carter, Director of the
Adult Mental Bealth Services
Division of Community Realth
and Couaeliug, urged passage
of this Resolve
Motive Made a" Seconded to
Pass As Amended by
Substitution
Passed As Assuaged by
Substitutio
p 03-147
gITLE,) Repressive coacern t Budget
dactroos In ;at meat
of Behavioral and Developmental Services