Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health presents service growth; commissioners take proposal on county levy repeal under advisement
Summary
Southeast Kansas Mental Health leaders told commissioners the center now provides tens of thousands of services in Bourbon County and asked the board to replace a 1961 levy resolution with a modern statement of support; commissioners asked for time to review and tabled a final decision to a later meeting.
Nathan Fossen, CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health (SEK Mental Health), briefed Bourbon County commissioners on June 23 about the agency's growth in services and partnerships and presented a draft resolution and letter that would rescind a 1961 half-mill levy while affirming county support for the center and continued county board representation.
Fossen described the center's evolution: from roughly 30 staff in earlier years to more than 500 employees across six counties, about 80 of whom serve Bourbon County. He said SEK Mental Health expanded service capacity after receiving federal grants and certification as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic; the center said it provided 35,482 services in Bourbon County in 2024 (the packet distributed to commissioners provides service counts broken down by year).
Superintendent (Fort Scott) Jeff Brown and Sheriff Martin spoke in support of SEK Mental Health. Brown described the district's expansion of school-based therapists (from one to a therapist in every school) and integrated behavioral supports; Sheriff Martin said the agency and law enforcement have a strong working relationship and that SEK crisis services are called frequently and promptly assist local law enforcement.
Commissioner (not specified) presented a draft resolution repealing the 1961 half-mill levy and a supporting letter stating the county will continue board representation and appoint qualified members without conflicts of interest. The resolution text acknowledges the county's historical financial support and proposes to shift from a standing levy toward non-financial support now that SEK Mental Health has diversified funding sources.
Commissioners asked for time to review the draft and supporting materials. The board agreed to table the resolution and letter for at least one week so commissioners could study the historical resolution and the packet SEK provided; Fossen confirmed the center may request additional funding in future budget cycles, but he said the organization is less dependent on county funding now than it once was.
Ending: The commission requested printed copies of the 1961 resolution and scheduled the matter for follow-up at the next meeting; SEK Mental Health will return materials and await the commissioners' decision.
