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Supervisors extend Pathway Behavioral Services jail contract; officials warn state opioid funds may not cover ongoing in‑custody treatment
Summary
Black Hawk County extended its contract with Pathway Behavioral Services through April 1, 2026, but county officials said state reimbursement rules for opioid‑settlement and behavioral health funds leave a gap for ongoing in‑custody group and treatment services, creating a potential $20,000 annual shortfall and a past‑year repayment risk.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors voted on Sept. 2 to approve an amended agreement extending the county’s existing contract with Pathway Behavioral Services Inc. for pre‑ and post‑arrest behavioral‑health services at the Black Hawk County Jail. The extension moves the contract expiration from Sept. 30, 2025, to April 1, 2026, consistent with an advisory recommendation from county staff.
Sheriff Nathan Nash and county staff briefed the board about emerging reimbursement issues tied to opioid‑settlement funds and other state funding. Nash told supervisors the state will reimburse screenings performed in the jail but is declining to cover group and ongoing treatment services provided in‑custody under the current interpretation of the funding rules. Nash described a shortfall that he estimates at about $20,000 per year for services the jail currently receives and said Pathway may need to repay funds from a prior year: “We found that, I think it’s gonna cost the Pathways about $52,000 that we have to pay back from last year,” Nash said. He urged continued negotiation with the state to close the gap.
To limit disruption of services while the state review continues, county staff proposed using a one‑time internal saving of roughly $20,000 previously identified in another line item (NAP care contract savings) to offset the shortfall for the current year and keep services status quo. Staff also advised the board that certain opioid‑fund contract extensions were part of a group recommendation from an advisory team that asked for current contracts to be extended through April while new applications are processed.
Action and vote: The board approved the amended Pathway contract by motion and roll call. The motion included a contingency for administrative review before final execution. Supervisors Brandt, Schwartz, Kernbach, Leland and Paul recorded affirmative votes on the roll call and the extension passed.
Why it matters: Pathway’s services include jail‑based assessments and treatment that local officials say are important to long‑term recovery. If state reimbursement does not cover in‑custody treatment going forward, local general funds or other county savings may be needed to preserve the current level of care in the jail.
Follow‑up: County staff and the sheriff said they are continuing discussions with state officials to seek clarification and potential cover for ongoing treatment. The board asked staff to report back if the state position does not change so supervisors can consider budget or contract adjustments.
