CMH Authority

Urged support for the eviction prevention program and asked the board to weigh how the CMH authority conversion would affect access to mental health care; also called out a commissioner's Facebook post stigmatizing mental illness.

Retired attorney sharply criticized the county's legal analysis of the authority transition, calling the claim that the state must fund deficits unsupported by statute, and urged the board to delay and get an objective opinion.

Allendale Township resident warned against creating an authority to dodge accountability, defended ICE enforcement and the Campbell plant's reliability.

CEO of the Lakeshore Regional Entity offered to answer regional questions about the authority item without advocating for or against it.

Momentum Center founder highlighted what the voter-approved mental health millage has built — community hubs, crisis teams, prevention — and urged that connection and belonging not be lost in the transition.

CMH CEO presented his written statement supporting the authority conversion as a 'strategic transformation' that offers flexibility, innovation, and safeguards for staff and clients.

Miller Johnson attorney and author of the supporting legal memo defended the authority's financial protections and cited deposition testimony that the state is knowingly underfunding Medicaid services.

Online commenter noted the irony of a Democrat asking for fiscal restraint on CMH while Republicans assumed the state would cover deficits, suggesting a balanced CMH budget as a first step.

Patrick argued there's no evidence the state would assume CMH's financial liability in an authority conversion and urged stabilizing CMH finances first.

Obits asked the board to commit to protecting residents' rights and urged a slower, better-analyzed CMH authority decision.

Asked the board to investigate the causes of CMH deficits and compare outcomes in other counties before scheduling hearings.

Contrasted past leadership promises to protect CMH employees with an employee survey showing fears about job security and service continuity.

Argued the conversion shifts rather than eliminates financial risk, citing Northern Lakes' $9 million deficit with no state help; urged analyzing deficit causes first.

A former CMH board member who found the report county-focused rather than client-focused; asked for the timeline to be sent back for review and data.