Sheriff's behavioral‑health unit seeks one additional deputy; board signals support to pursue opioid‑settlement funds

Sheriff’s Office representatives briefed Spokane County commissioners on July 22 about the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) co‑responder program and asked the board to prioritize opioid‑settlement dollars to add one full‑time deputy to the unit for at least two years. Presenters said the BHU currently operates multiple designated co‑responder teams in Spokane Valley and unincorporated Spokane County and partners with a contracted clinical subcontractor (Frontier Behavioral Health) that provides clinicians. The presenter described July‑to‑June grant‑cycle data showing roughly 2,300 calls in downtown and a similar number in the Valley (total reported contacts about 4,675) and said roughly 4,164–4,509 contacts were diverted from hospitals or jails into services — figures the presenter framed as evidence of the unit’s impact in routing people to treatment instead of inpatient or criminal‑justice responses. The Sheriff’s Office presenter described an ask to add a fourth deputy paired with a clinician and outlined rough cost estimates and vehicle considerations. The presenter said the co‑responder clinicians are funded through a WOSFET/WOS* grant (grant name referenced in the briefing) while deputy salary and benefits are paid from the sheriff’s patrol budget; the presenter said the county could apply opioid‑settlement funds to cover the operating costs for two years to maintain the deputy positions without pulling personnel from patrol. Commissioners asked for and received additional budget detail. Several commissioners — including Commissioner Jordan, Commissioner Kearns and Commissioner Waldorf — signaled support for moving quickly because hiring and backfill timelines are lengthy. County staff said they would return by mid‑August with a report summarizing opioid‑settlement funds received and projected, prior commitments, and a recommended allocation so the board could formalize priorities; commissioners indicated they would consider a quarterly budget adjustment to apply opioid dollars to BHU operating costs if the board agrees. No formal vote was recorded; the board directed staff to begin budget and hiring steps and to return with financial options and timing for a formal decision.