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Council approves $20,000 toward county co‑responder program to support mental‑health responses
Summary
The council authorized a $20,000 contribution to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office co‑responder program for 2024, with staff saying the full annual cost is about $95,000 and future funding will depend on grants or local commitments.
The Gardner City Council approved a funding agreement to contribute $20,000 toward the Johnson County Sheriff's Office co‑responder program for calendar year 2024.
Staff explained the county was the original recipient of grant funds that made the co‑responder service available, that the program diverts people from jail to mental‑health resources, reduces repeat calls and lowers force incidents, and that the city’s $20,000 is a partial contribution shared with neighboring jurisdictions. ‘‘The co‑responder has to be an employee of the community,’’ staff said, adding that the county applied for the grant and neighboring cities contract directly with Johnson County Mental Health.
Officials noted the full annual cost of a co‑responder is about $95,000; the current $20,000 contribution is a stopgap funded this year by existing grant money, and the council acknowledged that sustaining the program beyond 2024 will require identifying local funding or partners. The consent‑agenda motion authorizing the agreement passed unanimously.
What’s next: Staff said they will pursue grant opportunities and discuss future local funding options; no additional appropriation was adopted at this meeting.
