Douglas County commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 3 to delay consideration of a supplemental 2026 funding request for the Bert Nash Treatment and Recovery Center (TRC) until an external finance/operations review is under contract and a preliminary report is completed.

Bert Nash officials, led by interim CEO Kirsten Watkins, asked the commission to consider an increase to the TRC’s 2026 operating support. County staff and Bert Nash clarified that prior assumptions about the TRC’s payer mix were optimistic: staff said Bert Nash agency‑wide Medicaid revenue was about 53% and that TRC Medicaid revenue specifically is approximately 26%, not the higher figures used in earlier modeling. Finance director Danny Edwards told the commission that those lower Medicaid shares and a difficult revenue cycle required an updated budget approach.

Kirsten Watkins described the TRC as the state’s first licensed crisis intervention center, operating 24/7 and averaging roughly 225 distinct individuals per month in 2025. She said the center has struggled with staffing, leadership turnover and revenue assumptions and is participating in CCBHC transformation technical assistance. Danny Edwards presented 30 months of financial data and explained that billing and AR issues have depressed fee‑for‑service collections; Bert Nash has hired revenue‑cycle experts and engaged technical partners to improve collections.

County staff recommended postponing formal funding until Douglas County and Bert Nash reach a memorandum of agreement (MOA) outlining an external operational and financial review, the site visit is completed, and a preliminary report is available for both parties. Staff estimated a preliminary phase could take roughly three months after contract execution depending on scope. Commissioner Dorsey moved to delay action pending those steps and to receive an MOA update in January; the motion passed 5‑0.

Commissioners and Bert Nash officials emphasized collaboration: commissioners said the funds set aside for crisis system contingency should be used responsibly, while Bert Nash pledged transparency and participation in a jointly negotiated review scope. Staff noted that disbursements are typically reimbursable — the county would move funds but payment would be tied to documented expenditures.