Chesapeake City Council approves $3.1M budget adjustment for behavioral healthcare

The Chesapeake City Council meeting on March 11, 2025, focused on several key financial decisions impacting local healthcare services. The council approved a motion to apply for a grant aimed at funding recovery support services through Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (CIBH). This grant application is intended to help offset costs associated with providing these essential services to the community.

During the discussion, it was clarified that if the grant is approved, Chesapeake Public Schools could proceed with the program without needing further land use permissions from the council. However, if the grant is not awarded, the schools would need to either pay the city for these services or seek alternative solutions.

The council also addressed financial adjustments within the CIBH budget. A request to de-appropriate over $3.1 million from the FY 2025 operating budget was unanimously approved. Additionally, the council accepted and appropriated nearly $138,000 received from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to support CIBH's operating budget.

Another significant item discussed was the transfer of over $7.8 million between programs within the health insurance internal service fund for FY 2025, which was also approved by the council.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to enhancing mental health services in Chesapeake while ensuring financial accountability and support for local educational institutions.