By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

With escalating costs and stagnant funding, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas was forced to request additional funding for the fiscal year from Ellis County commissioners Monday.

DSNWK President Jerry Michaud asked the commission to consider two options for additional funding for FY2009: a 100 percent funding level for previous unmet costs that total $457,281.52 or a 67 percent funding level at $310,175.86.

"The costs are there, but the level of support doesn't match the costs," Michaud said. "That's, in part, why we went through some restructuring during these last six months."

DSNWK closed its Colby facility, downsized its Oakley office and eliminated positions in other locations last year.

The organization that provides services to disabled individuals in 18 counties in northwest Kansas also talked with Sheridan County officials about closing the development center in Hoxie.

"We approached the commissioners, and they came through to help us bridge this gap, so they are very close to 100 percent (funding)," Michaud said.

In contrast, Ellis County funds 31 percent of actual costs incurred by DSNWK in the county. The county dollars fund staff located in Hays, while state and federal dollars pay for the services DSNWK provides.

Most of the deficit in Ellis County can be attributed to increased health insurance costs. Because of the nature of the work involved for staff at DSNWK, worker's compensation premiums rose $200,000 on Jan. 1.

Wages also have fallen behind to the tune of $1.85 per hour because funding has not been available to keep up with minimum wage increases.

"I'm not proud to say that our starting wage ... is $7.25," Michaud said.

Both deficits account for the more than $457,000 requested by DSNWK.

"Ellis County, with all respect, they simply haven't kept pace," Michaud said.

Funding through the county's mill levy has hovered near $200,000 for the last 10 years despite the increasing cost of services.

"I'm hopeful they will make some strides to correct it," Michaud said.

The county, itself, is expecting a deficit this year based on lowered oil valuations. Commissioners did not commit to the DSNWK funding request but said they would consider it.

DSNWK also faces a potential 1.5 percent budget cut from the state of Kansas this year.

"That could be another $120,000 that we have to find somehow, someway to operate," Michaud said.

Additional cuts could come in fiscal year 2010.

Michaud said he is hopeful the state will follow its own laws and provide funding for community disability services such as DSNWK.

Without support for local agencies, responsibility for providing services would revert back to the state and potentially place individuals served by DSNWK back in state institutions.

"When you get your budget from just a couple of sources and they don't help cover the cost, then you're in the position we're in," Michaud said.

Ellis County has the largest deficiency for unmet costs among all 18 counties DSNWK serves.

There are five other counties below 50 percent funding for total costs incurred by the counties. They are listed below with the amount of money they are deficient.

Trego County: 24 percent, $60,342

Osborne County: 30 percent, $90,394

Ellis County: 31 percent, $457,282

Rooks County: 38 percent, $60,572

Logan County: 46 percent, $32,203

Rawlins County: 48 percent, $47,193