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Lake County joins other counties in rejecting OHA contract language; Outback Strong buys Christmas Valley site for local services
Summary
Commissioner James Williams said all 36 Oregon counties are at an impasse with the Oregon Health Authority over 2026‑27 behavioral‑health contract language that he and other counties say places excessive liability on counties; Outback Strong purchased a Christmas Valley property to deliver services and will host public meetings.
Commissioner James Williams told the Lake County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 3 that all 36 Oregon counties are at a deadlock with the Oregon Health Authority over proposed contract language for behavioral‑health services in 2026‑27. Williams said counties object to a clause that would allow the state to withdraw or change services and to language that places liability on counties without guaranteeing funding; he said counties are pressing OHA to remove that language before signing.
"Counties are standing firm with their demand to remove the clause that the State could withdraw and change services at any time," Williams said during the meeting. Chair Mark Albertson added that Lake County had no intention of signing until the changes were made.
Williams also reported that Outback Strong recently purchased the former Mexican restaurant in Christmas Valley and plans to remodel the building to provide behavioral‑health services; he said Outback Strong will hold public meetings in the near future to inform residents and receive comment. Community Corrections Director Jake Greer told the board that some Measure 57 funds and other grants discussed during the meeting will support treatment programming in the county.
The board did not take formal action on the OHA contract language during the session. Commissioners said they will continue coordination with other counties and monitor developments in the short legislative session in 2026 that could affect Community Corrections funding and behavioral‑health program structures.
