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Butte County approves state vehicle‑use agreement for mobile crisis program; grant requires sale of vehicles in 2031
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized a vehicle‑use agreement with the State Department of Health Care Services that implements grant terms requiring the county to sell 31 mobile crisis vehicles at the end of the grant period (June 30, 2031). County behavioral health officials warned the requirement could strain future service capacity and discussed replacement strategies.
Butte County supervisors on Jan. 27 adopted a resolution authorizing the county to sign a vehicle‑use agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services that implements requirements tied to a prior grant that funded the county’s mobile crisis program.
Scott Kinley, director of Behavioral Health, told the board the county’s mobile crisis team — launched in December 2023 — has provided crisis services countywide, serving 3,812 people in 2024 and 4,293 in 2025. "In 2024, we serve 3,812 individuals who are in crisis in Butte County," Kinley said, summarizing the program’s case load.
Kinley said the program benefited from a $5,000,000 grant that helped purchase 31 vehicles — 30 sedans/SUVs and one Class B motorhome for outreach and staging. Under the grant agreement, counties are required to sell vehicles purchased with grant funds at the end of the grant term. "This grant requires that from after 6 years, 07/01/2025 to 06/30/2031, counties are ... obligated to sell the vehicles that they purchased for this grant," Kinley said. He added that proceeds from any sale must either be returned to the state or reinserted into certain state‑administered behavioral health grant programs.
Supervisors pressed staff on implications for service continuity and replacement funding. Kinley and other staff said counties historically used realignment funds to buy vehicles — reducing money available for treatment — and that the state rule shifts replacement planning onto counties. Board members discussed potential strategies including staggering replacements, pursuing future grants, partnering with local police agencies to share resources, and seeking legislative fixes through county associations.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution authorizing the chair to sign the vehicle‑use agreement and staff to proceed under its terms. The motion was recorded as passing unanimously; individual supervisor votes were not read aloud during the meeting.
Staff said they will return with planning on replacement strategies and potential advocacy through county organizations to seek state legislative changes or alternative funding.
Closing: The resolution was adopted; staff will pursue follow‑up planning to ensure continued vehicle availability for the Mobile Crisis Team and report back as needed.
