In a protest that is likely to backfire, Fresno County leaders are refusing to pay the state $1.8 million for a program that helps homebound residents.
The Board of Supervisors, now more than a week late with payment, isn't opposed to the in-home support program, whose cost is split among the county, state and federal governments. Supervisors just don't like that wages of caregivers are more than they agreed to pay and have driven up the county's share of the cost.
The effort to assert their fiscal concern – in the face of a state spending mandate – is likely to mean the state will cut funding for other county programs to make up for the unpaid bill, plus any penalties. But three of the five supervisors say it's worth it.
"It's always framed that you don't have choices. Why then do we elect people to make choices?" said Supervisor Judy Case, among the majority that has supported the rare decision to buck the state.
The board majority maintains that instead of paying the state bill, the money should go to other underfunded county programs like the jail.
County administrators and two other supervisors, however, have called the effort to stiff the state foolish and continue to argue that payment should be made.
The debate is likely to resurface at today's Board of Supervisors meeting.
The issue first arose last year when supervisors decided to reduce the pay of the county's roughly 10,000 caregivers, from $11.10 an hour to $8.60 an hour. Although the county is responsible for less than 20% of that cost, the board wanted the savings to help strengthen its recession-wracked budget.
While the state agreed initially to the lower wage, the approval was later undone.
Labor groups sued the state for permitting new pay rates, and a federal restraining order, yet to be lifted, has meant wages in Fresno County have had to return to their previous levels – even though supervisors have committed the money elsewhere.
"We held to our agreement. The state didn't hold to theirs," said Supervisor Phil Larson, who has joined Case and Debbie Poochigian in choosing to withhold the state payment.
County social service managers, who coordinate the local In-Home Supportive Services program, have been paying the state's monthly invoices, which reflect the higher caregiver wage. But last month, they ran out of money and approached the Board of Supervisors for the funds they didn't have: $1.4 million of the $1.8 million due.
The board twice has declined to provide the money. Another request is pending.
Supervisor Henry Perea believes the county needs to settle up.
"We should be paying the money because we owe it, number one. But the repercussions of challenging the state put all the state funds that we receive, like for the district attorney or sheriff, in jeopardy," he said.
The County Administrative Office anticipates other funding being frozen if the bill isn't settled.
The In-Home Supportive Services program serves about 12,000 county residents who have trouble caring for themselves, most of whom are elderly. The county's share of the cost over the past 12 months has been about $24 million.
A spokesman for the state said Monday the state is waiting to see what happens with the unpaid bill.
"That's a process we'll reserve judgment on now," said Michael Weston with the California Department of Social Services.
The debate is likely to resurface at today's Board of Supervisors meeting.
The issue first arose last year when supervisors decided to reduce the pay of the county's roughly 10,000 caregivers, from $11.10 an hour to $8.60 an hour. Although the county is responsible for less than 20% of that cost, the board wanted the savings to help strengthen its recession-wracked budget.
While the state agreed initially to the lower wage, the approval was later undone.
Labor groups sued the state for permitting new pay rates, and a federal restraining order, yet to be lifted, has meant wages in Fresno County have had to return to their previous levels – even though supervisors have committed the money elsewhere.
"We held to our agreement. The state didn't hold to theirs," said Supervisor Phil Larson, who has joined Case and Debbie Poochigian in choosing to withhold the state payment.
County social service managers, who coordinate the local In-Home Supportive Services program, have been paying the state's monthly invoices, which reflect the higher caregiver wage. But last month, they ran out of money and approached the Board of Supervisors for the funds they didn't have: $1.4 million of the $1.8 million due.
The board twice has declined to provide the money. Another request is pending.
Supervisor Henry Perea believes the county needs to settle up.
"We should be paying the money because we owe it, number one. But the repercussions of challenging the state put all the state funds that we receive, like for the district attorney or sheriff, in jeopardy," he said.
The County Administrative Office anticipates other funding being frozen if the bill isn't settled.
The In-Home Supportive Services program serves about 12,000 county residents who have trouble caring for themselves, most of whom are elderly. The county's share of the cost over the past 12 months has been about $24 million.
A spokesman for the state said Monday the state is waiting to see what happens with the unpaid bill.
"That's a process we'll reserve judgment on now," said Michael Weston with the California Department of Social Services.
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