12.2. SR 04-26-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MSA I.P. Page 2 f. OMB and members of the Federal Executive Advisory Commi ttee recognize some of the weaknesses in the current MSA definitions and designation process. But they also recognize the problems of placing part of st. Cloud in the TCMSA but realize the problems of placing Big Lake and Elk River back into the SCSMA. g. For other than New England, OMB has not split counties and has made no exceptions to this policy. From our reading of OHB standards and discussions with OMB staff, it appears that the Standards for Defining MAs do not explicitly prohibit splitting counties. However, staff consider it a "pandora's box" and have much precedents to support this position. h. On March 16, the Sherburne County Board voted 5-0 to remain in the TCSMA and voiced unanimous opposition to dividing the county between two MSAs. i. Realignment of Sherburne county has no dollar impact on community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for st. Cloud. Currently, the formula is based on population, poverty and overcrowded housing. For CDBGs, poverty is defined by national standards not median incomes. Service area, (those who are eligible) is expanded because CDBGs are targeted to benefit low and moderate income families, which has a relational value to median incomes. .' . j . As part of the TCMSA Sherburne county takes on the median income levels of that MSA. 1993 adjustments were just complete showing median incomes of $39,400 for a two-county SCSMA and $49,600 for the TCSMA. For home ownership programs, moderate income is 95% of median. In assisted housing, lower income is 80% of median and very low income is 50% of median. Therefore, families in Sherburne county can earn up to 26% more than in Benton and Stearns and still qualify for the same housing program assistance. This creates significant economic inequities in st. Cloud. k. There is a risk in becoming part of the TCMSA in that the Metropolitan council has shown interest in supporting legislation to include all TCMSA counties under the Met Council jurisdiction. 1. Realignment should have no impact on Economic Development Administration, (EDA). Economic distress measures are currently determined on a county rather than a MSA basis. m. With the realignment, home health care reimbursements increase approximately $20. per day in Sherburne county. st. Benedict's Center will receive an additional $10 per day for their medicaid residents who are 60% of their current 222 patients. It has no impact on st. Cloud hospital's reimbursements~ but if this hospital was in Sherburne county medicare reimbursements WOUld. increase by approximately $2.5M.