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Spokane County OKs new detention medical contract over fiscal objections in 3-2 vote
Summary
The Spokane County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a contract with NAP Care to provide medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services for county detention facilities after debate about large cost increases and budget impacts.
Spokane County commissioners on Jan. 2 approved a contract with NAP Care to provide medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services for the county detention system, despite two commissioners opposing the agreement over its projected cost.
The 3-2 vote followed public comment and about a half-hour of board discussion that centered on the size of the proposed increase to the county's general fund obligation. Commissioners Waldorf and Jordan said the contract would worsen projected multi‑million‑dollar deficits.
Commissioner Waldorf said staff had worked hard on the contract but that he could not support it because of its cost. “I’m really concerned about a 55% increase to the cost of the services...it looks like about a $5,000,000 impact to our county general fund,” Waldorf said. “I’m not gonna support this item today for those reasons of cost and financial sustainability.”
Commissioner Jordan echoed fiscal concerns, saying the board must balance services and budget capacity. He noted the county’s general‑fund share for the services was projected to rise significantly year one, from a figure he cited as $7,640,000 to roughly $12.5 million, a jump he characterized as “63%” and called—along with additional expected increases—difficult for the county to absorb.
Other commissioners and staff stressed the need to maintain medical and behavioral health services in detention. The motion to approve the contract was made and seconded on the floor; the board approved the contract with three votes in favor and two opposed.
The contract text presented to the board specifies the vendor and the scope (medical, dental, pharmacy and behavioral health services for detention), but the meeting record does not include a full line‑item budget or the contract’s multi‑year escalation details. Staff also noted concerns about potential effects on county behavioral‑health employees and the continuity of services across detention, juvenile programs and therapeutic courts.
Commissioners asked for follow‑up analysis on budget impacts and longer‑term fiscal sustainability during subsequent budget cycles.
Votes at the meeting recorded the motion passing 3 to 2; Waldorf and Jordan voted no.
The board moved on to a public hearing after the vote; no further action on this contract was recorded at the meeting.
