Spokane to receive $175,000 as county rescinds planned termination of mental health court ILA
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Summary
City staff told council that Spokane County will rescind a notice to terminate the interlocal agreement for Spokane Regional Mental Health Court and will pass an amendment providing the city $175,000 for 2026 while a reimbursement formula is finalized.
Scott, a city official briefing the Spokane City Council at an agenda review, said Spokane County informed city staff earlier this year it intended to terminate the interlocal agreement (ILA) for the Spokane Regional Mental Health Court, then reversed that decision after negotiations.
Scott said the county will rescind its termination and adopt an amendment that provides the city $175,000 for 2026 while the parties finalize a revised reimbursement formula. The formula under discussion will establish a cost-per-case for mental health court and then allocate costs based on hours prosecutors and public defenders spend on the court, Scott said.
Deputy city administrator Maggie Yates, Presiding Judge Kristen O'Sullivan and city staff met multiple times with county representatives, including Judge Smith, to negotiate the amendment, Scott said. He described the amendment as a temporary measure to allow more time to agree on a long-term formula.
The council did not debate or vote on final language during the agenda review; staff said the amendment is in the council packet and will be considered at a later meeting or the scheduled special meeting to consider several interlocal agreements.