Supervisors discuss future of Cottonwood/Convoy complex as crisis center funding ends

Des Moines County supervisors held a work session item to discuss possible uses for the Cottonwood/Convoy complex after recent changes in service funding left tenants’ future occupancy uncertain.

County staff opened the session saying the county was preparing an RFP for potential services, including transitional apartments or a crisis center, but noted there may be no funding to sustain those models. Staff urged supervisors to consider options now so the county will have a plan if current tenants move out; the county’s current occupants are on month-to-month leases, the transcript states.

Staff and a representative for local drop-in and recovery services described changes in funding and program requirements that reduced revenue streams for the crisis center. A speaker who identified themselves as having “a lot of information” said two drop-in centers in the region are currently funded only through Dec. 31 under the existing terms; beginning in the new funding period, the Administrative Service Organization (ASO) will require DHS-prescribed, peer-support-led service models. The transcript reports the shift removed funding for “empty bed days” and transitional services that had previously supported the crisis center’s operations through Medicaid-related arrangements, and that when the ASO changed administrators those transitional-service revenues were no longer available.

Supervisors asked staff to contact the organizations that operated services at the complex — including Alta Mae and the regional ASO/administrative organization — to confirm whether they have funding or plan to continue operations. Staff also raised an immediate practical issue: the crisis center left some donated furniture (couches) at the facility; staff said the tenant requested to remove property they had purchased through donations if the county does not retain those items for future tenants.

Why it matters: The county owns the complex and pays maintenance costs while the property is not producing tax revenue. Absent confirmed funding and tenant commitments, supervisors discussed options that include marketing the property, reusing the space for county offices, or returning it to the tax rolls.

No final directive to sell or repurpose the complex was adopted. Staff said they will reach out to service providers and report back to the board with what they learn about funding and program viability; supervisors asked staff to provide options if tenants vacate the property.

The transcript records concerns about continuity of services and whether new ASO and DHS requirements will be met by local providers; supervisors emphasized that if services will end or providers vacate, the board should have alternatives ready for the property’s next use.