Loss of GAMC could cost the county

General Assistance Medical Care, a state-funded program for low-income adults age 21-64 who don't have dependent children and don't qualify for federal health care programs will end April 1.

Susan Beck, Crow Wing County community services director, told commissioners Tuesday about 500 people are affected in Crow Wing County. In 2008, Beck said the state spent about $1.2 million in health care services under GAMC for county residents. Ten percent of that would be $120,000, but Beck said doing nothing could mean an increased county cost of $60,000 to $70,000.

There are a number of proposals for those individuals, including one where the county pays a 10 percent match for health care costs and a more recent bill that involves substantial cuts to human services and mental health funding. Beck said the speculation is the loss to county's will equal $12 million to $14 million.

"If we don't have some sort of funding for the program there is going to be additional county expense," Beck said, including hold order costs and repercusions from people with mental health diagnosis who won't be able to treat their illness. "There are going to be a lot of thorny decisions to be made I think over the course of the next six months."

In other business, the board:

Learned the county was $128,495 over budget for out of home placements in 2009. For the year overall, Social Services was under budget.

Heard an update on stormwater management plans for plats during the planning and zoning presentation. Chris Pence, land services supervisor, said stormwater planning is one of the most important ways to protect the county's water resources. Stormwater planning has two opions, regional ponding and taking care of the stormwater on individual parcels when a construction permit is approved. Applications for major subdivisions must include a stormwater management plan to analyze runoff and ways to mitigate it.

Delegated local water planning duties to the land services department.

Supported the city of Brainerd's trail project to connect the Spur Line Trail, Kiwanis Park and Buffalo Hills Park with the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail.

Agreed to act as a fiscal agent for the Brainerd Nordic Ski Club application for a $25,000 Federal Recreation Trail Grant with a 50 percent match by the club for ski trail grooming equipment.

Agreed to send two commissioners and the highway engineer to a Transportation Alliance Washington Fly-In to Washington D.C. Commissioners said they were losing money to other counties and believe the cost of the trip, potentially $1,500 per person, is worth it in terms of bringing bak transportation dollars.

Learned the vacant positions for county committees, including what have been tough to fill Human Rights Commission vacancies, has attracted the attention of young people. Tim Houle, administrator, said that age group could bring an interesting perspective. There isn't an age limit and Houle said considering interested high school students may be worthwhile.

Agreed to meet in a special session at 9 a.m. Feb. 15, before meeting as the Committee of the Whole, in order to hear from Houle about a topic that will affect two county departments.

RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.