County Commissioners meet Tuesday the 22nd of April at 9:00am. Hillsdale and Jackson County residents are encouraged to come and speak on the matter Lifeways is once again bringing before the County Board. (33 McCollum St. Room 210.)
After narrowly avoiding rejection multiple times by the Hillsdale County Commissioners, Lifeways, a self-proclaimed advocate for mental illness treatment and prevention, is once again requesting 13 to 15 million dollars from Hillsdale County taxpayers to build a new facility. At the same time, they continue to publicly celebrate mental illness. This duality — a request for an extravagant investment in their infrastructure while professing to be the authority on prevention and wellness — exemplifies the hypocrisy at the heart of this proposal.
Lifeways: A Self-Proclaimed Champion of Mental Health, or Something Else? Lifeways positions itself as a leader in mental health support, claiming to be dedicated to the wellness of both Hillsdale and Jackson County residents. But it’s hard to reconcile their stated commitment to mental health with their actions, which increasingly appear to serve their own interests, rather than the well-being of the communities they claim to support. As a nonprofit organization, Lifeways has repeatedly shown a disregard for the financial well-being of the communities they claim to serve. Now, in a time of heightened fiscal uncertainty, they are asking Hillsdale County to shoulder a massive burden—one that, given their track record, may not result in any meaningful improvements in the mental health services they provide. Given the organizations several public displays actively celebrating the mental illness they claim to be preventing, are they truly suitable to be awarded millions of dollars? Will they be closing down their facility in Jackson County and leaving Hillsdale taxpayers solely responsible for both Counties liabilities?
A Reckless Request for Public Funds: Hillsdale Conservatives and concerned citizens alike stand firmly against this multi-million-dollar bond. While we acknowledge the need for local health services, we question whether such an enormous investment is truly in the best interest of Hillsdale County residents. At a time when fiscal responsibility is more important than ever, a proposal of this scale could create lasting consequences for the county’s budget, taxes, and overall economic health. The heavy burden it places on taxpayers should not be underestimated, especially when the promised outcomes are vague and the results unproven.
Lifeways’ request for 13 to 15 million dollars comes at a time when many residents are already struggling with the rising costs of living and taxes. The county simply cannot afford to take on such a substantial financial commitment without clear, measurable benefits. We must ask: What guarantees are in place to ensure that this new facility will deliver meaningful, lasting improvements to mental health care? Will the taxpayers of Hillsdale County see a return on their investment, or will they be left with higher taxes and a hollow promise of wellness?
A Political Agenda That Undermines Community Values: It’s not just the financial impact that we must consider. Lifeways has shown, time and again, that its leadership is more concerned with advancing a political agenda than genuinely addressing the needs of the community. The organization’s push for this new facility is framed as a public good, yet the policies and practices they endorse consistently push political ideologies that conflict with the values of a significant portion of Hillsdale County residents. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the fact that Lifeways’ actions do not align with the principles of fiscal prudence and responsible governance that the majority of taxpayers in this county uphold.
Alternative Solutions for the Future: Instead of agreeing to this large-scale bond, we call on the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners to carefully consider alternative, more sustainable solutions that would better serve the interests of the entire community. There are numerous ways to improve mental health services without resorting to such an extravagant, one-size-fits-all facility. We must explore options that offer long-term benefits for everyone, not just a single organization with questionable priorities.
It’s important to remember that public funds should be spent in ways that benefit the entire community—improving services, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Lifeways’ request for a bond of this magnitude does none of these things. Instead, it risks straining taxpayers and funding an organization that has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of commitment to the financial well-being of the very people they purport to serve.
The board of county commissioners must consider the long-term implications of Lifeways’ bond request. Is this the best use of taxpayer dollars, or are we being asked to fund a political agenda that undermines the values and priorities of our community? We urge the commissioners to reject this proposal and pursue more responsible, cost-effective alternatives that put the well-being of all Hillsdale County residents first. Let us remember that true wellness starts with fiscal responsibility and integrity—values that Lifeways has yet to demonstrate in their actions. We trust the commissioners will make a decision that reflects the best interests of our community, safeguarding our future from the financial burden that Lifeways’ request would undoubtedly impose.
In Liberty,
Chair: Josh Gritzmaker
Vice Chair: Lance Lashaway
Contact the commissioners and come to the meeting if possible. District 1, Doug Ingles – d.ingles@co.hillsdale.mi.us District 2, Kevin Collins – k.collins@co.hillsdale.mi.us District 3 – Mark Wiley – m.wiley@co.hillsdale.mi.us District 4 – Brad Benzing – b.benzing@co.hillsdale.mi.us District 5 – Brent Leininger – b.leininger@co.hillsdale.mi.us