Ottawa County CMH board approves 2027 budget 'out of operational necessity,' adds statement on inadequate revenue

The Ottawa County Community Mental Health Authority board voted to approve its proposed 2027 budget after adding language that the board "approves this budget out of operational necessity" but "does not believe the revenue received through the LRE/state of Michigan is sufficient to meet the needs of the community." Chair (speaker 1) called for a roll call following debate over the LRE-directed revenue assumptions, and the amended motion carried on roll call.

Board members had pressed that the budget as presented used the Lakeshore Regional Entity's (LRE) placeholder Medicaid revenue figures rather than a needs-based projection. "To me, this proposed budget is meaningless," the chair said during the hearing, arguing the LRE instruction to hold revenue flat failed to reflect the authority's actual operational needs. Executive Director Michael Brashears explained he had to work within the revenue assumptions provided by the LRE but agreed to prepare a separate, realistic needs assessment budget for presentation at the next board meeting. "I can have it ready for the board to see by next board meeting," Brashears said.

The board's amendment—crafted to register formal disagreement with the revenue assumptions while allowing the agency to operate—was offered as a way to communicate concerns to the LRE and state policymakers. Members debated phrasing including whether to include language such as "under duress" or the shorthand "VC," ultimately agreeing on wording that framed the approval as necessary for operations but insufficient in funding. The director said the needs-based analysis will be used in regional legislative advocacy and could be submitted to the LRE and state once finalized.