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Behavioral health advisory committee told county’s behavioral‑health sales tax faces shortfall; members to prioritize services
Summary
County behavioral health advisory members were told a sales‑tax funded behavioral health pool that has supported local programs is projecting a structural shortfall by late 2026; the advisory committee will work on priority recommendations for reprioritization and resource allocation.
Members of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee (BHACC) briefed the behavioral health committee that the county’s 0.1% behavioral health sales tax, which funds a range of behavioral‑health services, faces revenue declines tied to sales‑tax receipts and may reach a negative structural position by the end of 2026 without adjustments.
Deputy county executives and a contracted consultant presented to the BHACC and staff are “feverishly trying to unravel the, the revenue shortfall and the budgetary problems that, the county as a whole has,” committee cochair Steven (Stephen) Gockley said. Gockley summarized that the fund historically generated between roughly $4 million and $7 million annually and that, without shifts, “by the end of 20 26, we are in a negative place.”
Why it matters: the behavioral‑health sales tax supports many contracts and community programs. A structural imbalance could require short‑term interventions and program prioritization, with potential effects on Justice Project implementation that rely on braided behavioral‑health funds.
Committee process and next steps: the BHACC will hold a facilitated July meeting to develop prioritized recommendations for the health department and county executive, and the Behavioral Health Committee said it will coordinate with BHACC to ensure cross‑committee communication about contracts and prioritization decisions.
Ending: members agreed to continue reporting on the BHACC process and to work toward clear priority recommendations to guide county decision‑makers and reduce ad‑hoc cuts.
