LifeWays to Solicit County Backing for Building Bond Next Week
The federally-funded organization will try a third time to secure Hillsdale County's full faith and credit for its building bond.
Hillsdale County—LifeWays will again solicit the County’s backing of a building bond at the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners’ upcoming meeting.
According to the agenda for the meeting on 22 April, the organization is seeking—for a third time—the use of Hillsdale County’s full faith and credit for a building loan for its Hillsdale Mental Health Facility.
In sum, LifeWays would like the County to back the $15.5 million bond—totaling over $18 million with interest added—for the construction of a new, 28,000 square-foot facility at the corner of Beck and Industrial.
The county would own and lease the facility to LifeWays during the length of the bond, and it would transfer the title of the property to LifeWays if the bond were paid off in full. If LifeWays cannot pay for the lease, then the burden would fall to Hillsdale County taxpayers.
In a letter to the board, dated 25 March but not previously submitted, LifeWays recommended that the board approve the request.
“The LifeWays Board of Directors supports new construction for expanded crisis, substance use treatment, outpatient, psychiatric and integrated health services to the Hillsdale community,” the letter says.
Despite prior public opposition, the letter cites prior support by way of Hilldale County’s mental health millage, as well as “Hillsdale Hospital, Hillsdale County Sheriff, and Hillsdale judges.”
According to the letter, “the savings of interest dollars,” which would be achieved by Hillsdale County backing the bond, “is a responsibility LifeWays takes very seriously.”
The move comes amidst uncertainty regarding the organization’s federal funding, which accounts for over 90 percent of its annual revenue.
At the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on 25 March, LifeWays CEO Maribeth Leonard expressed concern about the organization’s long-term support from the federal government.
“All of you in this room are very much aware that at a federal level that there are concerns about the reconciliation that’s being proposed,” Leonard said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen at the federal level.”
Barring federal spending cuts, LifeWays’ budget suggests that the organization plans on a budget exceeding $2 billion over the next 20 years—over $100 million per year. The county, in contrast, expects to receive less than $16 million in revenue this year.
The resolution will be presented by District 2 Commissioner Kevin Collins, who was not a member of the board during the prior votes on this issue, each of which failed 2-3.
Jacob Bruns
Related Stories:
LifeWays Likely to Solicit County Board Again for a Bond at Tuesday's Meeting
LifeWays to Solicit $15.5 Million Bond from Hillsdale County Commissioners
Appendix:
Read the room and stop wasting time. Three times to the trough is 2 times too many.