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Davis County signs MOU with state to host competency restoration unit at county jail
Summary
The commission approved an MOU with Utah DHHS to place a competency restoration unit at the Davis County Jail, guaranteeing $4,016 per bed per day for up to 16 beds and projecting about $1.47 million in annual revenue; staffing implications will be reviewed in the 2026 budget.
The Davis County Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Substance Use and Mental Health / Utah State Hospital) to establish a competency restoration unit at the Davis County Jail.
Chief Deputy Butcher explained the agreement will guarantee the county $4,016 per bed per day for up to 16 beds, and an additional $138 per bed per day for any beds beyond that. "That's a total of $1,465,840 annual revenue we'll bring in," Butcher said while describing the start date of July 15, 2025 and a five-year term from signature. The state hospital will provide competency restoration services for individuals found incompetent to stand trial while they remain in county custody.
Commissioners raised questions about operational impacts and whether additional deputies would be required. County staff said the operational model differs from Salt Lake County's direct-supervision approach and that Davis County anticipates it may need one to two additional deputies; any staffing requests would be addressed through the 2026 budget process. A commissioner asked for a follow-up report to ensure staffing needs do not expand beyond what is anticipated.
Supporters described the arrangement as a way to move people needing restoration more quickly into treatment rather than waiting for beds at the state hospital. The motion to approve items 17–22, which included this MOU, passed on voice vote; commissioners asked staff to return with more detailed staffing and cost analysis.
The MOU's financial terms and operational details mean the county will need to track capacity, daily bed counts, and any budgetary adjustments tied to personnel or facilities as the program begins.
