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X30 Ghairman Whitted informed the Board that the Local Government Commis.. •. Sion is presently reviewing the 1974-75-76 audit of the area Mental Health Program. At the end of this fiscal year, an audit will be available to this Board. Commissioner Willhoit stated that he had no indiction of the nature of the proposed cuts, and therefore, upon the information that had been presented, he would move that Orange County appropriate $104,000 as its share of the deficit. Commissioner Gustaveson stated that he would like to have more informa- tion from the Mental Health Board of the availability of State and Federal funds coming from the new monies appropriated. He a]:so stated that he - needed a clearer picture of the proposed cuts. Commissioner Willhoit suggested that the County fund $17,000 for each additional month. He stated that this would delay the projected cuts from one month to another, and during that time, additional funding could be sought. Commissioner Pinney stated that he disagreed with this method, that if funding for mental health was not found at the end of one month, this would make the cuts even greater. The Chairman declared Mr. Willhoit's motion died for lack of a second. The Ghairman read to the Board the positions which were proposed to be cut. He stated that there were 19 affected positions, but only l2 would actually be terminated. Seven of the affected positions have either gone on part-time, or some other funding source is picking up their salaries. Of the 12 remaining cuts, 5 persons are in administration, and 7 persons are direct service personnel. Commissioner Finney stated that he served on the Mental Health Board and that this is a very hard decision to make. He then moved that Orange County appropriate an additional $16,000 on the already appropriated $54,000 to the Orange County deficit, which would bring Orange County's total appropriation to $70,000. Commissioner Gustaveson seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. Many unidentified persons spoke in support of the Mental Health Programs. Commissioner Willhoit .asked that the motion be amended, and that the $16,000 be used in a manner to delay any cuts for one month, and during this time seek to identify other funding sources, with the idea that the Gounty may fund beyond the $70,000 after further evaluation. Commissioner Walker asked if the proposed $70,000 would go toward the total Mental Health Program or can this money be earmarked for specific programs? Commissioner Gustaveson stated that the Mental Health Board and the professional staff should have the responsibilities of making priorities in the mental health programs. Commissioner Gustaveson asked that Mr. Willhoit amend his amendment to state that the direct service personnel would not be terminated for another month. Discussion ensued. Mr. Pinney stated that the additional $16,000 would fund 5 additional positions for the rest of the year. Commissioner Walker stated that he could not vote for eithex the motion or the amendmentss, but he would moved that the County earmazk the appropriations made to pick up these two pxagrams. He added that he would not vote to appropriate any money to go to the area Mental Health Board. Commissioner Willhoit restated his amendment. He stated that since the County had already appropriated $54,000, there would be a $50,000 shortfall, which is $17,000 far each month. By using this $17,000 to continue the programs 100 percent, this weuld give 'the Board time to look at the situation, and a month from now, another appropriation could be made.