Here’s a response from Lynn Green to an email from Ed Kuharski that I was cc’d on. A different version of the story. And plans to give the money to . . . drumroll please . . . PORCHLIGHT! A miraculous solution in 17 hours or less!
I believe that it is important that some facts are presented regarding this situation. My Department and the County Executive build our 2016 budgets based on our understanding that Bethel day services program current funding was adequate. Bethel had given us no indication that was not the case. In fact, the County needed to find $50,000 to sustain the current level of funding for Bethel day services, since the funds to raise their budget from $30,000 to $80,000 in 2015 was a one time only transfer of money from the Day Resource Center budget line that was not expended.
On October 16th, after the County Executive had sent his budget to the County Board, Bethel Board members requested a meeting with me and let me know that the Bethel Church Board had met and passed the following resolution:
“The negotiating team representing the Homeless Ministry of Bethel is instructed that the Bethel Lutheran Church council agrees to extend the agreement with Dane County for $20,000 per month payable in advance, due the first of each month, with a 30 day cancellation clause from either party. This will be effective January 1, 2016. This will be directed to the Homeless Board chair, Bev Thom, and shall be communicated to the County immediately.”
I expressed my concern at that meeting that this was extremely late notice in the County budget process and that this increase was alarmingly large, especially given fiscal constraints on the County. I requested a copy of the budget, which I received, and which included everything from increased staffing to payment of possible loss of room rental on the space that the day services program was occupying.
I informed the County Board of this situation. Through their deliberations they increased the Day Resource Center line by $30,000 and indicated that these funds could be utilized to increase the 2016 Bethel day services annual contract from $80,000 to $110,000.
I met with Bethel staff on December 14th to negotiate a 2016 annual contract for $110,000. They informed me that given the Bethel Board’s resolution they could not accept anything less than $20,000 per month and that there was no room for negotiation. As a result, the Department was unable to enter into a 2016 contract with Bethel.
I agree that this is a very unfortunate circumstance. Bethel day services has been an invaluable program. The Department has already begun plans to enhance the services at Hospitality House that is also a day services program that in fact operates 7 days a week (Bethel operates 5 days a week and is closed on holidays). We are also working to increase van trips to the Hospitality House location. In addition to these services, we continue to have in place other services such as case management at the Central Library, access to the State Capitol, night shelters, and free laundry, showers, medical care, and clothing.
I hope this helps to clarify misunderstandings that are circulating regarding the closure of the Bethel day services program. This closure was not caused by the County refusing to renew the contract or being unwilling to make concessions in the services offered. It was caused by Bethel’s unwillingness to negotiate a 2016 annual contract with the funding level available.
Lynn 🙂
