The Sept. 24 meeting of the Oceana County Board of Commissioners saw a presentation from West Michigan Community Mental Health (WMCMH), a discussion of the county-wide municipality mutual aid agreement and the passing of several resolutions.
WMCMH CEO Julia Rupp presented the tri-county organization’s annual report, covering topics of funding, outreach and equity initiatives and its new certification
While WMCMH is primarily funded - about 85% - through Medicaid, Rupp assured commissioners that their organization is, financially, less reliant on Medicaid than other CMHs throughout the state. Much of that supplementary funding comes from a combination of grants, foundations and federal dollars, with 1% matches across all three serviced counties - Mason, Lake and Oceana. In anticipation of Medicaid cuts expected in January 2027, Rupp explained that WMCMH has developed strategies to remain afloat, part of which is a “healthy” funding reserve, which will supplement several budgetary items in 2027.
Rupp also described WMCMH’s status as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) as “our pathway to staying financially stable.” As a CCBHC, their patient base is open to not just Medicaid patients but also those with private insurance, resulting in a recent increase in third-party revenue. What is also significant is the bonuses WMCMH receives for high-quality outcomes as a CCBHC, which amounted to $1 million this year.
In 2026, WMCMH obtained expanded crisis support with the introduction of its Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Ludington. The dedicated facility aims to alleviate stress on local hospitals’ emergency departments and has already achieved significant success. For community outreach and equity, in 2026, WMCMH has directed efforts toward early intervention programs, transportation funding for medical appointments through the early intervention programs and expanding employment services to assist those with substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert Walker also serves on the WMCMH board and, following the presentation, shared some insight into some of the challenges CMH organizations face throughout the state. Recent plans have been proposed at the state level to restructure Michigan’s CMH clinics, wherein there would be three different units across the whole state - the Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula and the Detroit Metro area. Walker and Rupp agree that the current system is preferred, as Walker expressed, “Each county has its own entity, you know, and we’re very fortunate with what we have and the services that are offered in West Michigan, but I’m not so sure we’d be able to offer all of those services if we had a one-[size]-fits-all.”
Also introduced and discussed at the meeting was a three-year mutual aid agreement between the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and county municipalities. As of the meeting, Hart, Shelby, New Era and Hesperia had signed the agreement, while the villages of Rothbury and Pentwater had not yet met to review and sign the agreement. Despite being an agenda item, Walker informed Undersheriff Ryan Schiller that the board will sign for the OCSO once the final two municipalities have signed, just in case any further corrections were added and needed review. As such, the mutual aid agreement motion was struck from the agenda for the time being.
Also approved were the county’s L-4029 lawnmower and snowplow services bids and an amendment to the buildings department's permit payment policies. The L-4029 winter tax millage was provided by county assessor Ed VanderVries of V&V Assessing. The millage will accrue more revenue than that of 2025. Snowplow services for the upcoming 2026-2027 winter were approved for Hallack Contracting and Beckman Brothers for four separate locations, inclusive of plowing, snow removal and salting services. A Toro Z Master 4000 riding lawnmower was purchased from Rivers Rentals and Equipment for $11,760. Finally, commissioners passed a motion establishing procedures and policy for building permit payments, credits and refunds, all in alignment with state building codes and the Oceana County fee schedule. All motions presented were approved unanimously.
For commissioner reports, Commissioner Paul Erickson brought forward a mass-mailing notice from ITC Holdings regarding the planned Copperton-Ludington high-voltage transmission lines, infrastructure which will pass through Oceana County townships of Weare, Hart, Elbridge and Ferry. Erickson urged commissioners to attend ITC’s information session, which will be hosted on Thursday, Oct. 22 from noon to 7 p.m. at the MSU Research Station, located at 5185 N. Oceana Dr. in Hart. Citing concerns regarding information and feedback about the project circulating through social media, Erickson recommended commissioners “take a very, very serious look at this…I’m sure all of us will be contacted in regard to this power line process.”
Commissioner Joel McCormick took the opportunity in his report to note the planned developments taking place in Shelby now and in the coming year, including the demolition of the Rankin Hardware buildings and the construction of two mixed-use, residential and commercial buildings. “They’re old buildings, both of them long overdue [for demolition],” said McCormick of the village revitalization. “So I’m glad there’s action there.”
