|
Supes approve $300,000 for supplemental care for mentally ill |
|
|
Thursday, 12 February 2009 |
By Stacey Powells
Mammoth Times Staff Writer
 Mental Health Director Ann Gimpel continues to be an advocate for seriously ill citizens of Mono County. Mammoth Times photo/stacey powells
This represents payment for mental health rehabilitation services for Mono County residents requiring intensive mental health support within a locked facility environment.
Presently, Mono County has two individuals residing at American River Behavioral Health, which is part of the Crestwood Behavioral Health system. The Mental Health Department will run out of money to care for these individuals before the July 1, 2009 renewal date if the contract isn’t renewed early.
Gimpel told the board it is necessary to send certain mentally ill individuals – who are unable to care for themselves beyond to their mental disorder – to treatment at out-of-county facilities
Crestwood Behavioral Health provides intermediary step down care for those individuals who require further time for stabilization before they can be admitted to a facility with a lower level of care.
Most individuals in need of such care would be at Crestwood for six months. The intention is to return the individuals to a level of functioning that will allow transfer to either a board-and-care facility or a return to independent living in Mono County.
“The cost for one of these facilities depends on where the individual is and where they are in their treatment,” Gimpel said. “It can cost between $170 and $200 a day.”
The Board passed the motion to provide the additional funds by a 5-0 vote.
County asked to waive fees
for fire protection districts
Funding for the Fire Protection Districts in Mono County, including the Chalfant Community Service District are provided by Mono County. This aids in offsetting the operational expenses of the districts, which are all run by volunteers.
But when there is work that needs to be done to keep the facilities operating, it has been customary for the county to charge the Fire Protection Districts fees for Building Permit issuance. Essentially, that means that part of the money that Mono County gives to help fund the districts gets returned to the county in fees.
Mono County Building Inspector Rick McManis said that it didn't make any sense to charge the fire districts for permit fees and asked the board to waive them.
“Fire districts provide a public safety service and if part of that is to expand facilities or remodel existing facilities, then why make them pay the extra fees,” said Mark Mikulicich, Fire and Paramedic Rescue Chief for Mono County. “I think it’s a good idea to waive the fees.”
“This proposed waiver is a result of the fire meeting that took place last year regarding the fire districts wanting to expand their facilities,” said McManis, who asked the board how the building division should proceed.
“We give the districts some money but if they want to improve facilities we take some of the money back,” said Supervisor Bill Reid. “It doesn’t make sense.”
A grading permit fee is $405 and an encroachment permit fee is $315.
Supervisor Tom Farnetti would like to waive the fees on a case-by-case basis. “I would feel more comfortable hearing what the fire districts are doing rather than just waiving all the fees.”
“If we don’t really need those funds then they should stay at the ground level at the fire districts,” said Supervisor Hap Hazard.
County Counsel Marshall Rudolph indicated that this will have to be brought back to the board as a resolution at a future date.
Currently there are two fee applications in the pipeline, one from Paradise and one from Antelope Valley.
|
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 20 February 2009 )
|
