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Supervisors approve signing MOU with Des Moines County to administer mental-health advocate services
Summary
Board approved signing a memorandum of understanding for administrative services with Des Moines County and discussed that counties will retain responsibility for court-appointed mental-health advocates following state changes under House File 2673; projected advocate salary cited at $93,749.31 and initial county expenses were noted.
The Van Buren County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize a memorandum of understanding that assigns Des Moines County as fiscal agent to manage administrative duties for mental-health advocacy following statewide restructuring.
Unidentified Speaker (first appearing as S3) explained that House File 2673 is phasing out the regional mental-health structure and shifting certain responsibilities to counties beginning July 1, 2025. Under the arrangement described to the board, Des Moines County would act as fiscal agent for several counties (Jefferson, Lee, Keokuk, and Van Buren in the presentation) and seek reimbursement from the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization (BHASO) for services provided. The board heard a salary projection for the shared court-appointed mental-health advocate of $93,749.31 and earlier-year expenses listed in the briefing (for example, $1,527.92 to date and sheriff transport costs shown as $310.62 for fiscal 2025 totals reported to that point).
Commissioners discussed whether signing the MOU would obligate Van Buren County financially; staff said Des Moines County would pay expenditures up front and seek reimbursement from the BHASO and that, if BHASO did not reimburse, costs would be prorated among participating counties based on assigned cases. Staff also identified that counties remain responsible for ensuring an advocate is available, as required by code.
A motion to sign the memorandum was moved and seconded, and the board approved the authorization by voice vote. The action delegates administrative tasks to Des Moines County as fiscal agent while maintaining local obligations and options to withdraw under the MOU’s termination provisions.
