BOARD ON AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE
Budget Change Items
1. STANDARD BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS
GPR $112,600
PR - 7,400
Total $105,200
Governor: Provide $52,500 ($56,300 GPR and -$3,800 PR) in 1999-00 and $52,700 ($56,300 GPR and -$3,600 PR) in 2000-01 to reflect: (a) removal of noncontinuing items (-$15,200 PR annually); (b) full funding of salaries and fringe benefits ($56,000 GPR and $10,600 PR annually); (c) full funding of financial service charges ($300 GPR and $400 PR annually); and (d) full funding of lease costs ($400 PR in 1999-00 and $600 PR in 2000-01).
2. OMBUDSMAN SERVICES FOR FAMILY CARE RECIPIENTS
Funding Positions
PR $698,300 1.00
Governor: Provide $255,200 in 1999-00 and $443,100 in 2000-01 and 1.0 position, beginning in 1999-00, to support contracting for ombudsman services for recipients of the new Family Care benefit. Funding for these services would be claimed by DHFS as medical assistance administration costs and transferred to the Board. The additional position for the Board would supervise these contracts.
Require the Board to contract with one or more organizations to provide advocacy services to potential or actual recipients of the Family Care benefit or their families or guardians. Prohibit the Board from contracting with any organization that is a resource center, a care management organization, a provider or an affiliate of a provider of long-term care services. Require the advocacy services to include all of the following: (a) information, technical assistance and training about how to obtain needed services; (b) advice and assistance in preparing and filing complaints and appeals of complaints; (c) assistance in negotiation and mediation; (d) assistance regarding the appropriate interpretation of statutes, rules, or regulations; and (e) assistance in administrative hearings and legal representation for judicial proceedings.
[Bill Section: 41]
3. REGIONAL OMBUDSMAN POSITION SALARIES
GPR $73,200
PR 10,600
Total $83,800
Governor: Provide $36,600 GPR and $5,300 PR annually to reclassify the regional ombudsman positions into a higher pay range to improve recruiting and retention for these positions.
4. MEDIGAP COUNSELOR POSITION
Funding Positions
PR $73,400 1.00
Governor: Provide $31,500 in 1999-00 and $41,900 in 2000-01 and 1.0 position, beginning in 1999-00, to maintain the current staffing level for the Medigap Helpline. One of the Board's three Medigap counselors is supported by a federal grant that expires on September 30, 1999. This item would maintain support for this position. The Medigap Helpline provides information to consumers regarding insurance policies available to supplement federal Medicare insurance coverage, including long-term care insurance.
5. MEDIGAP HELPLINE MAILINGS
PR - $33,100
Governor: Provide $15,400 in 1999-00 and $17,700 in 2000-01 to: (a) fund costs of mailings for the Medigap Helpline that are not currently reflected in the Board's operating budget ($12,300 annually); and (b) increase funding to support these mailings by 25% in 1999-00 and an additional 15% in 2000-01 ($3,100 in 1999-00 and $5,400 in 2000-01).
6. MISCELLANEOUS ADJUSTMENTS
PR $43,700
Governor: Provide $10,100 in 1999-00 and $33,600 in 2000-01 to fund: (a) health insurance premiums ($1,800 in 1999-00 and $4,400 in 2000-01); (b) pay plan compensation reserves ($8,300 in 1999-00 and $16,600 in 2000-01); (c) the 27th pay period ($12,600 in 2000-01).
7. COMPUTER LINK-UPS WITH REGIONAL OFFICES
GPR $33,600
Governor: Provide $16,800 annually to fund ongoing costs for transmission lines that allow interactive communication and transmission of data between the Board's central office and the five regional offices.
8. REPLACE PHOTOCOPIER
PR $2,500
Governor: Provide $2,500 in 1999-00 to replace the photocopier at the Board's central office. This amount, which represents approximately 40% of the estimated total cost of the new copier ($6,200), reflects the Medigap Helpline's share of the Board's office copying. The remaining 60% of the Board's copying costs are attributed to other functions. The Board would absorb the unfunded portion of the cost of the photocopier ($3,700).
9. BOARD OF AGING AND LONG-TERM CARE -- SIZE AND COMPOSITION
Governor: Increase from seven to nine the number of members on the Board. Specify that the initial terms of the new members would expire on May 1, 2005 and May 1, 2006. Require that all Board members be public members with no interest or affiliation with any nursing home. Currently, at least four Board members must meet this requirement. Establish a new requirement that at least five Board members be 65 years or older, persons with physical or developmental disabilities or their family members, guardians or other advocates.
[Bill Sections: 19 and 9103(1)]
BONDING AUTHORIZATION
Budget Change Items
1. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDING AUTHORITY
Governor: Provide general obligation bonding authority of $144,845,000 for the following purposes:
Agency Purpose Net Change
Administration Educational communication facilities $8,354,100 *
Agriculture, Trade
Consumer Protection Soil and water 3,575,000
Clean Water Fund Safe drinking water loan program 3,870,000
Educational Communications Board Educational communication facilities -8,354,100 *
Natural Resources Nonpoint source grants 14,400,000
Nonpoint source compliance 2,000,000
Transportation Rail acquisition 4,500,000
Harbor improvements 3,000,000
University of Wisconsin System Self-amortizing facilities 3,000,000
Veterans Affairs Self-amortizing mortgage loans 110,500,000
Total General Obligation Bonding $144,845,000
*This transfer of bonding authority would only occur if the Secretary of DOA determines that the FCC has approved proposed broadcast license transfers.
Update summary schedules relating to bonding and debt service that appear for informational purposes.