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Jefferson County tables mental-health MOU, seeks written reimbursement assurance from state/BHASO
Summary
County supervisors held a lengthy discussion about a multi-county MOU to share costs for a mental-health patient advocate, expressing concern the document lacked a Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization signature and written state reimbursement assurances; the board agreed to table the MOU until written confirmation is received.
Jefferson County supervisors on June 9 discussed a proposed memorandum of understanding to divide responsibility for a mental-health patient advocate among several counties. Speaker 1 told the board the MOU assigns financial responsibility to participating counties but relies on reimbursement from a Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization (BHASO) and the state; Speaker 1 said the MOU as presented contains no BHASO signature line and the county had not received written confirmation from state contacts the speaker had contacted.
Board members expressed concern about the county assuming costs if BHASO or the state does not reimburse. Speaker 1 said the agreement includes a termination clause allowing any participant to withdraw with written notice but cautioned that signing without assurance could still result in unplanned billing. Several supervisors recommended tabling the item; the board agreed to place the MOU on next week's agenda and requested staff seek written confirmation from the state/BHASO about reimbursement commitments before signing.
Outcome and next steps The board tabled the MOU and directed county staff to request written confirmation of reimbursement from BHASO or state authorities and to report back to supervisors. No formal cost estimate for Jefferson County's share was accepted at the meeting; the MOU remains unresolved pending that confirmation.
Quote "I have asked for and have yet to receive any confirmation ... the behavioral health administrative service organization has no signature line on this MOU," Speaker 1 said, expressing concern about county exposure to potential costs.
