Council approves moving forward with regional behavioral health integration funding plan

The Cache County Council voted to move forward with the Bear River Health Department's behavioral health integration plan after the department returned with a cost breakdown and funding explanation.

Jordan Mathis, director of the Bear River Health Department, told the council the integration plan carries an ongoing cost of $250,000 for the three-county partnership. Based on Cache County's population share (68.9%), Mathis said Cache County's annual portion would be $172,250 beginning in 2027. Mathis clarified that these would be public health dollars (not county match funds) and discussed options for placing the expense into the county's public-health levy, which the executive's office is planning to "true up" so public-health funding flows through the levy going forward.

Why it matters: The integration plan aims to expand behavioral-health services regionally; agreeing to a multi‑year fiscal commitment requires the county to identify an ongoing funding source and incorporate the expense into future budgets.

Council discussion: Members asked whether the expense could be covered by the public-health levy; Mathis said the levy could include the amount for public-health administration but that the funds are not counted as Medicaid match. Council members and staff noted there is time to work this through before 2027 and suggested budgeting and levy adjustments during the next budget cycle.

Decision and follow-up: A motion to approve moving forward with the proposal and to begin budgeting and coordination with other counties carried after a seconder. Staff will work the integration plan funding into next year's budget discussions and follow up with Box Elder and Rich counties (Box Elder had already voted in favor; Rich County was scheduled to consider the matter next week). The council recorded thanks to Mathis for returning with the detail.

Speakers quoted are drawn from the meeting transcript and public presentation.