Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Flathead City‑County Health Department outlines budget cuts, plans to expand behavioral health responders
Summary
At the June 2 Kalispell City Council meeting, Flathead City‑County Health Department representative Jen Rakoski reported cuts to department revenue after a community health center moves and some state grant reductions; the department plans to increase mills and expand behavioral health co‑responder staffing.
Jen Rakoski, representing the Flathead City‑County Health Department, briefed the Kalispell City Council on the department’s recent budget review and staffing plans.
Rakoski said the health department expects the community health center to relocate into a new building in the fall, which will eliminate about $250,000 in rent or revenue the department previously received. She also said state funding reductions removed roughly $100,000 in anticipated grants and another $30,000 was an unexpected loss. As a result, Rakoski said the department will need to reduce spending and plan to increase mill levies to cover the shortfall, noting possible impacts from pending state legislation.
Rakoski said immunization and environmental health revenues are expected to remain steady. She also said the department anticipates a modest personnel cost increase tied to a potential 1% cost‑of‑living adjustment and that the department has already absorbed one full‑time equivalent position amid the reduced funding.
On program priorities, Rakoski described an expansion of behavioral health response capacity. The department has shifted staff and plans to bill for some responder services; Rakoski said the department hopes to add another co‑responder, creating a team of three corresponders and three support staff, and that co‑responders are now serving the county jail and supporting jail staff.
Council members asked about the legislative measures Rakoski referenced; she said effects depend on final passage and language, and she committed to update the council as the legislative outcomes become clearer. Councilor Hunter praised the behavioral health and co‑responder programs as “excellent” and asked for clarification on which bills affect levy authority; Rakoski said she would follow up with more details.
Rakoski also addressed questions about potential increases in licensing fees for food establishments and pools; she said House Bill 853 increased those fees and that change will boost some revenue streams. The council did not take any action on the report; it served as an informational update.
