Plumas County panel recommends closing Quincy Wellness Center, says services will shift to annex

The Plumas County Behavioral Health Commission on March 5 voted to recommend that county behavioral health be authorized to close the Quincy Wellness Center and relocate services to other county facilities.

Department staff told commissioners the downtown Quincy site has low usage — about four regular telehealth clients — and that most services already take place at the Courthouse Annex. Staff said the closure would not eliminate services: two employees now assigned to the downtown site would be reassigned to the annex or other wellness centers, and telehealth and transportation options would remain available for clients.

Commissioners pressed staff on logistics including lease requirements and timing. Staff said lease termination would require either a 30- or 60-day notice and recommended a 60-day timeline to allow public notice, packing and relocation. A staff member summarized the operational rationale: the downtown site "simply wasn't drawing the traffic and providing the services" anticipated when it opened.

A motion to recommend closure was moved and seconded; members approved the recommendation by voice vote. The commission requested that when the recommendation is presented to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, staff include the supporting data and rationale — financial comparisons, client counts and alternate service plans — to inform the board’s decision.

Staff said outreach to the four regular telehealth clients had not yet occurred but that staff had briefed employees about reassignment plans and that telehealth rooms and other county locations (including Portola and Chester wellness centers and the Courthouse Annex) can accommodate services. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate client notification and community outreach once the Board of Supervisors has the recommendation.

The commission’s action is advisory; the Board of Supervisors will decide whether to authorize closure.