[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6135053,"mediaKeyId","5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913","parentId",5677536,"title","Butte County behavioral health director warns new state BHSA rules will force cuts, add housing role","audioSeconds",1312,"startMs",4086000,"endMs",5398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913&start=4086&end=5398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913/thumbnail_4086000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6135053/Butte-County/California/Butte-County-behavioral-health-director-warns-new-state-BHSA-rules-will-force-cuts-add-housing-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135053-2b2d092525ca5238e7b1269ba1ebbb73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407214&Signature=btQJcKXbjU2DL5toRm5j65G-bfl4vu247mZsS0Je3U56ov75FxgnWcEbjxq8nFZgYeU2K042LpU3US5gICjskPeazb5bejLhhIqVN~Jqj-Nd7U1STNxRCUy3W4~QJAvNn9BJyKQa2H8uxY~LnD4yyQYlfUxnl39ktY~rH5Fdj1D7EPKcLZCWRapJN8tkf3CuFtIdXe8EO9DgmRhyTB3ydslY9Rs6aD0DRaQPWvY-ur48FEiHi8ed0gDyMmpmDBwyMTQXEZAUXry24pFSgtqDXC6XZkt9hAyEJXJhDP~B7sLMDt7-6ON7wz5m6JPUL-ad2kLx6gEJHRzSIU~Z53fuoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Butte County, CA","date","2025-08-26T00:00:00Z","article","Butte County’s behavioral health director, Scott Kennelly, told the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 that the state’s Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) — the voter-approved restructuring of Mental Health Services Act funding — will force significant program changes and new housing responsibilities when it takes effect July 1, 2026.

Kennelly, director of Behavioral Health, said BHSA reassigns existing MHSA revenues into three mandated buckets: behavioral health services and supports (35%), housing (30%) and full-service partnerships (35%). He told the board the county currently spends about 61% of MHSA money on services and supports and roughly 2% on housing, meaning the county would have to reallocate substantial funding and likely reduce or end some existing community programs.

“We will have to cut a substantial number of those programs to meet that requirement,” Kennelly said during his presentation.

Why it matters: Kennelly said the change reallocates dollars without adding new funding; statewide, the transition will remove roughly $1 billion from local mental-health services to create the housing and state-directed programs BHSA demands. He warned that many community-based prevention and outreach programs funded under MHSA will not qualify under BHSA’s more prescriptive eligibility rules.

What Kennelly told the board: He listed dozens of county-run teams and contracted programs that currently receive MHSA funds — from mobile crisis teams and wellness centers to cultural outreach programs for African American and Hmong communities — and said only a portion of those activities will remain eligible under new BHSA rules. He said programs that continue to receive funding will likely have to bill Medi-Cal or otherwise qualify for federal financial participation, which will require electronic health records, auditing, and increased administrative capacity.

The director also said BHSA requires stronger state oversight: the county must submit a local plan that DHCS (the Department of Health Care Services) reviews and approves before the Board of Supervisors may adopt it. Kennelly said the draft plan will go through public engagement, then to DHCS, then back to the county board for final approval.

Community engagement and timeline: Kennelly outlined multiple public input meetings being held in Gridley, Oroville, Paradise and Chico in early September and a virtual session on Aug. 28. He emphasized that community feedback will shape which services remain and which contractors may respond to future requests for proposals.

Public comment and advisory board: Brian Boyer, chair of the county Behavioral Health Advisory Board, thanked Kennelly and praised regular updates that translate state-level changes into clear terms for the community. Boyer said the advisory board values the director’s engagement and noted that local voters rejected Proposition 1 in public ballots after county-level outreach and education about its effects.

Ending: Kennelly told the board the county must prioritize programs that fit both BHSA rules and DHCS priorities; he urged community organizations and current contracted providers to consider options including transitioning to Medi-Cal billing, applying for future state prevention funds, or pivoting to provide housing services. The board received the presentation as informational and asked staff to continue outreach and bring a draft plan forward under the state timeline.

No regulatory action was taken at the Aug. 26 meeting; the presentation served to summarize likely local impacts and to open a period of community input and planning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Butte County Behavioral Health Director Scott Kennelly told supervisors on Aug. 26 that California’s Behavioral Health Services Act will require the county to redirect existing Mental Health Services Act funds into narrower categories and to dedicate 30% to housing, likely forcing cuts to some local prevention and outreach programs.","taxTitle","Butte County, California","taxId",4123,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135057,"Butte County accepts donated repairs to Concow's Station 38 as residents press for an engine to be returned",1407,2214000,3621000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913&start=2214&end=3621","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913/thumbnail_2214000.jpg","/articles/6135057/Butte-County/California/Butte-County-accepts-donated-repairs-to-Concows-Station-38-as-residents-press-for-an-engine-to-be-returned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135057-9fb133179ab19571d28a23d257ff8803/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407214&Signature=bkkxu4aOMHN7hy-OtPhVrSJhItQjZ3uZYw2rd79RvT-Cjas0bXa0DYro-wiMqEj46SL2zFWVEyu20OU2LLOQ78mHFDnySrDO~kJ26NdpuwMBPoG0SDJPzydIfZ5TA1zQbiJIX6chTDMuq2f71c9JoKevZCdLWzPQxeqmhPBUIz5R6IDO27-5zgYbT8eqZ0G~kpq7tpdaHr6enEidyKma8zBP~plYJdj8J~6QnaFZbK0VIAtz2O0NBhtSPt3Ql2EJGsG1PZfo5yomfui37nruN5RBo9WBO2VlQs1qjdcZqiWsxVJx8aa4YkDHbIWlRL9KPMn-4zA9ANOWVbk1JFwEFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Butte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 adopted a resolution accepting $104,774 in donated improvements to Fire Station 38 in Concow and heard a lengthy public comment period urging the county to return a fire engine to that station.

The donations, organized by the Golden Feather Volunteer Fire Company and presented by volunteer leader Peggy Moke, include a concrete apron, repaired stairways and other accessibility and structural work. Director of General Services Mike Hodson described the repairs as “remarkable” and told the board the county prepared a resolution to accept the improvements.

Why it matters: Concerned residents said the absence of a staffed engine at Station 38 increases emergency response times and places greater risk on volunteers who must travel to Station 37 to retrieve equipment. Several speakers said volunteers already live within five minutes of Station 38 and that restoring equipment there would cut response times by 20 to 30 minutes for medical and fire calls.

Residents and volunteer leaders spoke in a near-continuous block of public comment. Peggy Moke, representing the Golden Feather Volunteer Fire Company, said the nonprofit formed in 1977 and had pledged to operate the station and that volunteers living in the basin include certified engine and water-tender drivers. “We encourage the county to consider surplusing, instead of surplusing a fire engine, to keep one and place it at Fire Station 38 so that we can serve our public timely,” Moke said.

Other Concow residents made similar appeals. Pete Moke said he could “attest to the urgency” of placing an engine at Station 38 and described turnaround times to fetch equipment as “pretty critical in someone's life.” Jenny Lowry, who said she represents campground and farm properties near the station, added: “For a first-aid emergency we have to wait 20 to 30 minutes for them to go get a truck to come back to the campground. We're asking that you please bring this truck to Station 38.”

Board response and next steps: Chair (presiding officer) acknowledged the speakers and said she had discussed the issue with Chief Schoeland and Peggy Moke. She declined to direct immediate action at the dais, saying she hires the fire chief “to be Butte County Fire Chief as a professional in making decisions.” The chair asked to meet again with the chief and indicated she would report back to the board. She also said other supervisors were welcome to attend that meeting.

Following public comment, the board voted to adopt a separate resolution accepting the donated station improvements. Mike Hodson said the county will record the improvements at an estimated value of $104,774.

The transcript shows multiple residents asked the board to agendize a return of fire apparatus to Station 38 at a future meeting and asked county staff and the fire chief to consider moving an existing unit from Station 37 to Station 38 or placing a surplus engine there. The chair asked to follow up with the fire chief and told residents she would be in touch.

No formal motion to place an engine at Station 38 was made or voted on at the Aug. 26 meeting; the board’s formal action that day was limited to accepting the donated physical improvements to the building. The county staff and the fire chief were asked to meet with supervisors and report back; supervisors said they could attend that follow-up discussion.

Ending: The Board accepted the donated improvements and paused further action while staff and the fire chief review operational options. Residents said they plan to continue pursuing restoration of an engine at Station 38 and requested the board agendize the issue if county staff recommend placement of an apparatus.","The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution accepting $104,774 in donated improvements to Fire Station 38 in Concow. Dozens of residents urged the board to place a fire engine back at the station, citing 20–30 minute response delays and local volunteer capacity; supervisors asked the county fire chief for follow-up before directing action.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135040,"Board adopts FY 2025–26 service charges for 54 county service areas and 5 permanent road divisions",201,3606000,3807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913&start=3606&end=3807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913/thumbnail_3606000.jpg","/articles/6135040/Butte-County/California/Board-adopts-FY-202526-service-charges-for-54-county-service-areas-and-5-permanent-road-divisions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135040-20f28bb974bee11ddbd2de31950f7a25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407214&Signature=CuR8JcgnpCpH1-w3z7RcsULh5HS1HquKfi969JneNpwFJtRBG8JH8ETcC0fWhfMo4eJg4V52AXgD4E3aoU6elwFO9Mkxd8yFMrZXIUmIa~9nd~xhMS9l9K86wcNWMoCNohxTyhvBuZReSLMGcp~eLa41s08B17MnobpIoizwi0yjpQEfThqz-lu~hjbuKlQwv2tQh-bUV6pYeCm~19JLRvdEAvY~vbi9nlC32ABU0kqK~dm9xWE5QEvn9ToSMkQTWGlt5hAyksfcrrbEKTDs1wVby4LimNEJvL5ToU5eRFP2Ce1446W2q4UbactB3~ckpzqr6yZQwZ5ZxEc1XLPCXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Butte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 adopted a resolution establishing service charges for fiscal year 2025–26 for 54 County Service Areas (CSAs) and five Permanent Road Divisions (PRDs), allowing those charges to be placed on property tax bills.

Leanne Hancock, management analyst for county administration, told the board the charges cover services in unincorporated areas including fire protection, street lighting, stormwater and drainage, sewage, animal control and road maintenance. Exhibit A in the staff report itemized prior-year charges, proposed FY 25–26 charges and the maximum allowable rates under Proposition 218.

Hancock said four CSAs and one PRD would receive increases for FY 25–26; three of the CSAs’ charges were established by prior Prop 218 elections and a fourth anticipates a Prop 218 election this fiscal year. Josh Packer, director of public works, clarified that the board may set rates at or below the maximum established by the district creation documents; any increase above the maximum requires a Prop 218 election.

Recusal and vote: Supervisor Durfee left the room for the public hearing on this item. After public comment was closed with none received, the board voted to adopt the resolution and authorize the chair to sign. The clerk’s report indicated the proposed charges are consistent with the county’s adopted FY 25–26 budget.

Ending: The action allows the proposed service charges to appear on the FY 25–26 property-tax bills. Individual CSAs and PRDs will carry the specific charge amounts and any further increases beyond Prop 218 limits would require voter approval.","The Board adopted a resolution setting FY 2025–26 service charges for County Service Areas (CSAs) and Permanent Road Divisions (PRDs), authorizing placement of charges on property tax bills; a small number of CSAs/PRDs will see increases consistent with prior Prop 218 approvals or pending elections.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135045,"Magalia residents urge Butte County to use Camp Fire settlement funds to widen road tied to Magalia Dam retrofit",288,1721000,2009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913&start=1721&end=2009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913/thumbnail_1721000.jpg","/articles/6135045/Butte-County/California/Magalia-residents-urge-Butte-County-to-use-Camp-Fire-settlement-funds-to-widen-road-tied-to-Magalia-Dam-retrofit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135045-449bdbafc330270d89bc2cbe990b53e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407214&Signature=Mgn4K8ICKS~GntCQ-vR~5GD2hsTiN-GPr5OB7IQZodDG-D4yRIZ6VMEx1YhzlHJaxVIS76LP7UIV-1Pi~cdvIJntS1oekTsWlNfQ9SoetX5oPq5uaH7xh-I8QCTOfU7Mcd858WoCAT3IkS52hymTq2yGqz-StC0iXtCucfO6fq7EZbDLr9huZ1x4AafCUIs6FE1Pq-Jofu8pkX-c0vFGtqxBpRrz9dQ7dugffn-EX1RTkPapBb~2Ip4Bwcim3qF7-3ORzVA~B1t-21H3ZEcSIDx2KKtKm3yC1BNpTllZE8fwA4ylV1UFYmQ8vhbMlcFL97oEOTMzllmSLZuH9YQ~Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents of Magalia told the Butte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 that the county should act now to design and fund widening of the county road that crosses the planned new spillway tied to a Paradise Irrigation District retrofit of Magalia Dam.

John Stonebraker, a resident and speaker to the board, said the dam — constructed more than 100 years ago with uncompacted mud fill — must be retrofitted to meet the Division of Safety of Dams’ seismic requirements. The irrigation district has grant funding to design a retrofit but the county road will need a new bridge and widened approaches if the spillway is relocated. Stonebraker said the county’s delayed engagement could increase future costs and disrupt coordination with the irrigation district.

He urged the board to agendize authorization to withdraw up to $307,000 from the Camp Fire settlement fund so engineers can design the necessary road and bridge work now while the irrigation district’s 60% design is being reviewed. “If we don't do this now, it's going to be much more expensive later,” Stonebraker said.

Chris Rowan, who described himself as an Upper Ridge resident, said the current configuration leaves essentially one constrained route in and out of some ridge neighborhoods and that that road is not suitable for large evacuations in emergencies. He and others urged immediate county participation in design so the irrigation district can coordinate construction with road widening when the dam retrofit goes to construction.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the request as both a safety and efficiency issue: designing the road and bridge now could limit future construction disruption and reduce the county’s share of costs if work is paired with the irrigation district’s dam retrofit. The Division of Safety of Dams regulates reservoir levels, and the irrigation district has limited time while state reviewers consider the 60% design.

Action requested and board response: Speakers asked the board to agendize a withdrawal from the Camp Fire settlement or other available matching funds at the board’s next meeting. No formal board action was taken on Aug. 26. Stonebraker and Rowan said the irrigation district had given the county a brief window to participate and that the board’s timely decision was needed to keep options open.

Ending: County staff were not given directions at the meeting to act immediately; Stonebraker asked the board to place the item on a future agenda so the county could authorize design-level funding and coordinate bridge and road approaches with the irrigation district’s dam retrofit plans.","Residents of Magalia and the Upper Ridge urged the board to authorize immediate county participation in road widening and bridge design associated with a Paradise Irrigation District retrofit of Magalia Dam, saying a $307,000 design match now would be cheaper than delaying and risking higher costs or less cooperation from the district.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6135048,"Butte County OKs library fine amnesty and one-year fine-free pilot after board shortens proposed period",495,3274000,3769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913&start=3274&end=3769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5677536-128449f1a3c8d77a3a2f19f3154b7913/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","/articles/6135048/Butte-County/California/Butte-County-OKs-library-fine-amnesty-and-one-year-fine-free-pilot-after-board-shortens-proposed-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6135048-2e26916d45a6d611e15303e9d8ffa49d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770407214&Signature=Ltc7rg7ZpMvl3X7sD3Xjlb8BeMFmjqm7IrkdtXFt9xlJ~y0u3jF3euCXMf~ilXT0NhnMEJ1DPd1GMOAeCTZ7osfHUtTaRG~-kqmfaOHJgBAGWVR-tAEE-yf4IhYWvPfCGR15D9vzdBbJtOyddJbUPKAvhMXaD~1J-jbgUeewuvOpidYVWY0WPob0Ql20o5oI7ONdsRYlMKMMQFkwXLzu9XDgGxBDgPDBFeIdnMBjtpQqxUlGbVnx6R6IIwTsQc0zEcCaSlJdMVa8hrbLyxZlXZaPfhSexNorlFmUG9OkjeSAuPqLLUAANlHNdZDp5kALzGosNuqsbsS8lfhCsxVVhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Butte County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 approved a library fine amnesty for September 2025 and authorized a one-year fine-free pilot program for the Butte County Library system, following a staff proposal for a two-year pilot.

Misty Wright, Director of Libraries, told the board the library currently charges overdue fines of $0.25 per day and has about 2,100 active patrons with blocked accounts owing $10 or more, including roughly 900 youth accounts. Wright said revenue from fines covered only about 10% of replacement costs for lost material and that increased hours and circulation had led to higher levels of lost and overdue material.

Under the approved approach, the library will run a one-month amnesty in September during which patrons may contact branches to clear eligible fines and fees; staff said the amnesty is not an automatic wipe and patrons must contact the library to have certain accounts cleared. The pilot removes daily overdue fines for the one-year trial but preserves replacement charges when an item is more than 30 days overdue; replacement charges are reversed if the item is returned.

Why it matters: Library officials and the board said overdue fines disproportionately discourage low-income households from using library services. Wright cited national examples showing increased returns and decreased lost materials after libraries went fine-free.

Board change: Staff recommended a two-year pilot; a supervisor moved to shorten the pilot to one year for an earlier evaluation and the board approved that amended timeline. The board instructed staff to proceed with the amnesty and one-year pilot and to bring back results after the trial period.

Operational details: Wright said patrons can pay replacement charges online or at self-checkout terminals and that the system will still print the library’s barcode and location on physical items, which aids returns. The amnesty will require patrons to contact the library to clear accounts, and the pilot will still charge replacement costs if items remain unreturned beyond 30 days.

Ending: The board’s vote was unanimous. The library will begin outreach to encourage returns during the amnesty month and will start the fine-free pilot in the fall; staff will return to the board with evaluation data following the one-year trial.","The Board approved a September amnesty program and a one-year fine-free pilot for the Butte County Library after staff proposed a two-year trial; the pilot waives daily overdue fines but retains replacement charges for items overdue more than 30 days, and the amnesty requires patrons to contact branches to clear accounts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Butte County behavioral health director warns new state BHSA rules will force cuts, add housing role

Butte County accepts donated repairs to Concow's Station 38 as residents press for an engine to be returned

Board adopts FY 2025–26 service charges for 54 county service areas and 5 permanent road divisions

Magalia residents urge Butte County to use Camp Fire settlement funds to widen road tied to Magalia Dam retrofit

Butte County OKs library fine amnesty and one-year fine-free pilot after board shortens proposed period