Board restores several behavioral-health programs, orders three-month radiology extension for county clinics

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved the Health Services Agency(HSA) proposed 2025-26 budget and the county executiveofficerestoration package on June 10, restoring several community behavioral-health services and directing a short-term extension of clinic radiology while a transition plan is developed.

Supporters and county staff said the restorations aim to preserve critical mental-health and harm-reduction services while HSA works to adapt to declining federal and state grant revenues. The board voted to approve the restorations and funding plan and added direction to extend in-house radiology for three months to allow time for staff to finalize transition options.

HSA staff told the board that the agency faces major revenue losses and operational pressures: proposed FY 2025-26 materials showed about $6.64 million in lost HSA revenue and a net reduction of roughly $4.52 million after proposed changes, with an overall cut of about 74.4 FTE positions across behavioral health and public health programs. To minimize immediate service disruptions, the CEOand HSA proposed a package of…