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Harney County Court approves $150,000 appropriation for behavioral‑health deflection program
Summary
Harney County Court unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑33 to appropriate an unexpected $150,000 grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission for a behavioral‑health deflection program, authorizing increases in revenue, personnel and supplies to stand up services and case management.
Harney County Court voted unanimously Dec. 3 to adopt Resolution 2025‑33, appropriating an unexpected $150,000 grant award from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to establish a Behavioral Health Deflection program.
The court's reading of the resolution said the funds will support a collaborative program run with the Harney County Criminal Justice Commission offering voluntary diversion pathways for people with substance‑use and co‑occurring behavioral‑health disorders. The program is intended to connect participants to treatment, recovery supports, housing and case management rather than immediate criminal prosecution.
The resolution increases department 015 revenue by $150,000 (raising the referenced departmental revenue balance to $892,678) and adjusts appropriations to add roughly $63,000 for personal services and $87,000 for materials and supplies. Court members noted the award arrived after budget preparation and said the supplemental appropriation was needed to authorize spending for the current fiscal year.
During discussion, a commissioner asked for clarification of the materials and supplies line; another member observed that because enrollment in deflection is voluntary, many eligible people may decline services, and noncompliance would return a case to criminal proceedings. The court did not alter the appropriation and proceeded to a voice vote.
"I move to approve resolution 2025‑33 in the matter of appropriating funds due to unexpected occurrence or condition," an unidentified court member said; another seconded. The court recorded three ayes; no opposition was voiced and the motion carried.
The county will administer the award in coordination with the district attorney's office and the Harney County Criminal Justice Commission; the grant came via the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The court did not adopt further program rules during the session and indicated staff will return with expenditure details if and when funds are drawn down.
