2017-10-03 Budget mtg - Mental Health Tax for 2018 -1
Budget meeting re: Mental Health Tax Fund 110
October 3, 2017
3:12 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, Commissioner Jackson, Becky Butler, Steve
Walton, Chuck West, Shad Hail, Chief Sweet, Wes Rethwill, Sheriff Snaza, Susie Parker, Stephanie Miller,
Janelle Kambich, Katie Strozyk, JP Anderson, Danette York, Judge Lawler
Guests: Justyna Tomtas, Mitch Townsend, Matt Brock, Bill Marshall, Anthony Ahrens
Recorder: Rieva Lester
2018 prelim budget: Revenue: $1,220,300; expenditures:
$1,088,735; FTEs: 4.80
Jail – Mental Health Alternative – Prisoner Care – $163,316
Chief Chris Sweet said the jail is asking to keep the current
funding. He discussed the one-tenth money that goes to
Cascade Mental Health. He said part of the money requested
goes toward medical and mental health. He said the jail
recently switched to Naphcare and that the one-tenth funding
pays a portion of the Naphcare bill. Chief Sweet said the jail
also contracts with Cascade Mental Health. Chief Sweet said 20
percent of Naphcare’s duties is related to mental health.
Sheriff Snaza discussed the benefits contracting with Naphcare
has provided since the contract’s inception.
Chief Sweet said the Naphcare contract includes an annual 3
percent increase.
Shad Hail discussed Juvenile Court and the huge percentage of kids facing mental health challenges.
Shad said Juvenile wants to move from a reactive to a proactive approach to mental health issues. He
said he wants to have someone on site to help in mental health cases. He said he would like to expand
training. He would like to work to get steps in place so the kids will attend appointments, etc. following
their release. Shad said the cost is $45,000 to $50,000 to have someone in Juvenile half time. He
discussed the possibility of piggybacking the position with the jail.
Katie Strozyk and Becky Butler discussed the costs associated with the proposed position.
Prosecutor, Drug Court: $38,722
Mental Health contracts: $268,915
Nurse Family Partnership: $240,193
Superior Court Adult Drug Court:
$213,745
Jail Mental Health Alternative, Prisoner
Care: $163,316
Therapeutic Court: $162,855
Jail Drug Court: $100,103
Jail Mental Health Alternative, Non-
Incarcerated: $96,210
Prosecutor, Mental Health Alternative:
$44,869
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JP Anderson said the county should take great pride in its efforts to combat mental health problems
countywide.
Stephanie Miller discussed the goals of Adult Drug Court. She said the participants’ ultimate goal is
sobriety. Stephanie said participants can stay in a males’ home or a females’ home through Reliable.
Stephanie discussed the Family Recovery Court, which she said includes participants whose children
have become wards of the state. Judge Lawler said it is a required program.
Janelle Kambich discussed the Mental Health Alternative through the Prosecutor’s Office.
Danette York discussed contracts with outside agencies, which her department oversees. She said an ad-
hoc committee reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the BOCC, which has the final say.
Danette discussed the need for case management. Danette discussed the Nurse Family Partnership,
which is referral based and targets first-time mothers who are at risk. Danette discussed the difficulties
related to retaining employees. She said she is considering creating a “joint” team with neighboring
counties to save resources.
Bill Marshall said the county is understaffed and underfunded. He said unfunded mandates are a terrible
burden on the county. He said the budget advisory group plans to meet with the commissioners to
discuss some ideas on how to raise more funds.
Commissioner Fund said she is working with the Behavioral Health Organization to see if there is any
funding available.
Meeting ended at 4:25 p.m.