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Residents press Clallam County for accountability on behavioral-health projects and Habitat funding
Summary
Multiple residents at the May 20 meeting urged the county to demand measurable outcomes for behavioral-health spending and asked for transparency about Habitat for Humanity funding; county said the Habitat contract has not been executed and public-works rules will apply.
PORT ANGELES, Wash. — Several residents used Clallam County’s public-comment periods May 20 to question transparency and accountability for behavioral-health spending and to ask for updates on specific projects funded by county vouchers and Opportunity Fund-related approvals.
Jeff Hilsa, a Jamestown Road resident, questioned a $525,100 voucher for Peninsula Behavioral Health’s Northview Complex and requested an update on budget, schedule and measures of success for a project he said totals about $12.75 million. Hilsa said Peninsula Behavioral Health’s last project ran 37% over budget and that the agency “didn’t have an answer” when asked how it measures success.
“$525,000 is a lot in one week to give to a project that isn’t measuring success,” Hilsa said.
Stephanie Day of Sequim urged the board to require measurable, behaviorally defined outcomes for behavioral-health spending and stronger oversight. Day, a former registered nurse case manager, said mental-health treatment requires both adequate staff and facilities and that “medication therapy only works if you take it,” arguing for direct-observation approaches when necessary.
Other commenters echoed calls for measurable goals. Mark Curtis and Eric Fairman urged the county to require SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals from organizations receiving public funds and criticized some outreach practices by providers. Eric Fairman also criticized a recent Peninsula Behavioral Health survey, saying it appeared designed to justify organizational growth rather than collect open public input.
In response to public questions about an $800,000 allocation tied to Habitat for Humanity, Todd (county staff member) said the county passed a resolution in December establishing a process for awarding Opportunity Fund proceeds when funds become available. He told the board that Habitat for Humanity had not entered a contract with Jamestown Excavating and that “there is no work that has started yet in relation to this project.” Todd said Habitat is still securing the remaining funding and that any contract will be subject to Washington public-works requirements, including prevailing wage and competitive bidding where applicable.
Todd also said the county had conducted a legal review and was drafting contract language that will require Opportunity Fund recipients to follow applicable public-works rules. He invited the public to follow up with staff for additional explanation of the Opportunity Fund process.
Public commenters also raised broader concerns about homelessness, public safety and the Charter Review Commission’s conduct; commissioners acknowledged the comments and offered to meet with members of the public after the meeting to answer additional questions.
No formal board action on Peninsula Behavioral Health or Habitat for Humanity projects was recorded at Tuesday’s meeting; county staff said follow-up review and contract drafting are underway.
