Yolo County trims hours at Davis and West Sacramento mental health clinics amid funding shortfall

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors on March 11 approved a staff recommendation to reduce regular clinic days at the county’s Davis and West Sacramento behavioral health clinics as departments grapple with falling Mental Health Services Act and realignment revenues.

County Health and Human Services Director Nolan Sullivan told the board that the department has been covering three clinics with two clinic staffs since July and is nearing an operational breaking point. "We can't continue to borrow staff, we can't continue to support three clinics with two clinic staff," Sullivan said, calling the situation "not sustainable." The board voted to limit Davis clinic hours to Mondays and Wednesdays and West Sacramento clinic hours to Tuesdays and Thursdays while maintaining full-time services at the Woodland clinic.

The move is part of a broader effort to reduce a projected multi‑million‑dollar gap in behavioral health funding that Sullivan and his team described as driven by declining MHSA and realignment revenue, changes in statewide funding rules tied to Proposition 1, and years of declining fund balances. Sullivan said the county previously relied on a large MHSA reserve but is now projecting a negative fund balance for fiscal 2025–26. "The years of a very healthy MHSA fund balance are long gone," he said.

Sullivan presented clinic utilization data to justify the staffing shift: Davis served roughly 300 unduplicated clients in the period reviewed, West Sacramento about 600, and Woodland roughly 950, with Woodland also showing the highest counts of clinical encounters. He said the recommended change aims to reduce staffing stretch while preserving access: "We are proposing to modify the Davis and West Sacramento clinic hours of operation… and maintain full time services in Woodland," Sullivan said.

Board members pressed for details and transition plans. Supervisor Frazier asked about continuity of care and whether callers or walk‑ins would be handled; staff said they will use the county’s access line, scheduling adjustments and transportation help where needed, and a short public notice period if the board’s action is implemented. Chief Financial Officer Tom Haines and Chief Budget Official Laura Liddicott framed the item as one of several difficult steps the county must consider within a broader FY 2025–26 budget gap conversation.

The board approved the proposal after a motion moved by Supervisor Frerichs and seconded by Supervisor Allen. There was no roll-call vote recorded in the meeting minutes; the clerk announced the motion carried.

Health officials emphasized that this change is intended to be a measured step to avoid unplanned clinic shutdowns and to allow management time to analyze longer‑range options including contract restructuring, targeted reductions, or alternative funding approaches. Sullivan warned that additional, harder choices will likely be required in the coming fiscal years if revenue trends continue.

The county plans to provide public notice before the service-day changes take effect and to publish information about alternate access points, transportation options and the access phone line for people seeking care.

Votes at a glance

- Board action: Modify operating days at Davis and West Sacramento behavioral health clinics and continue full-time services at Woodland. Motion moved by Supervisor Frerichs; seconded by Supervisor Allen. Outcome: approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).