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2019-11-13 Mental Health Tax budget meetingMental Health Tax budget meeting November 13, 2019 2:02 p.m. Present: Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, County Manager Erik Martin, Becky Butler, Stephanie Miller, Judge Toynbee, Susie Palmateer, Jonathan Meyer, Alison Puckett, JP Anderson, Shad Hail, Janelle Kambich, Sheriff Snaza, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Chief Chris Sweet Guests: Paul Crowner, Ralph Mancini, Jared Wenzelburger Recorder: Rieva Lester Becky Butler said the 2020 preliminary budget for the Mental Health Tax includes revenues totaling $1,847,200 and expenditures totaling $2,320,796 – with $258,500 going to the Nurse Family Partnership. She said the preliminary budget reflects an estimated use of fund balance of $473,596. Chief Sweet discussed the jail’s mental health costs, including those related to Naphcare and Cascade Mental Health. He noted that reimbursements for Becky said there are three requests for additional funding: • Jail (for prescription costs): $81,600 • Family Recovery Court: $8,700 • Drug Court: $81,329 Shad Hail discussed the medical screening now available at Juvenile thanks to funding provided for proactive health assessments. Jonathan Meyer outlined the importance of mental health screening. Chief Sweet noted there would be a reduction of funds in response to changes at the Great Rivers Behavioral Health Organization (GRBHO). He asked that any leftover funding be used to help with a transition specialist position at the jail. Sheriff Snaza echoed the request. Commissioner Fund clarified that as the BHOs statewide go away, so too will the funding the counties have been used to receiving. The group discussed the funding received from Cascade Pacific Action Alliance for Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), which was available in 2019 but won’t be in 2020. The group also discussed additional funding the BHO provided the jail for prescriptions in 2019, funding that will not be available in 2020. Jared Wenzelburger left at 2:28 p.m. Alison Puckett discussed contracts ending at the end of the year. Susie Palmateer and Jonathan Meyer discussed the Mental Health Alternative and Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) cases. Susie said ITA costs are far exceeding revenues. She said Superior Court is requesting additional funding to cover attorney fees. Jonathan said more than 500 ITA cases have been filed year to date. Becky discussed a request to change billing procedures. Stephanie Miller said Family Recovery Court is requesting an additional $8,700 to support an increase in participants, noting that the number of participants has increased from 10 to 16. She outlined work Drug Court is performing. Judge Toynbee discussed the importance of housing in the recovery effort. The group discussed the positive impacts Family Recovery Court and Drug Court have on the community. Jonathan said the county could receive future settlements from ongoing opioid litigation. Commissioner Jackson, Commissioner Stamper and Commissioner Fund approved the three requests for additional funding: • Jail (for prescription costs): $81,600 • Family Recovery Court: $8,700 • Drug Court: $81,329 Meeting adjourned at 3:13 p.m.