Board approves forensic psychiatry contract, delays health-department change order and designates auditorium for early voting
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Summary
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors authorized a one‑year forensic psychiatry services contract for its competency restoration program, deferred action on a $157,911 change order for a health-department renovation pending more details, and approved using the former Board auditorium as an early/emergency voting site for select 2026 elections.
The Yuma County Board of Supervisors on April 6 authorized a contract not to exceed $1,276,930.06 to provide forensic psychiatry services for the county’s restoration‑to‑competency program, approved the designation of the former Board auditorium as an early and emergency voting site for two 2026 elections, and delayed final approval of a construction change order for the county health department while seeking more information.
The board voted to approve the psychiatry services contract, which covers services effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. A supervisor asked why the contract language uses the term “forensic psychiatry.” Assistant County Administrator Robin Stallworth Poquette said she would follow up, and a county staff member explained that “forensic refers to behavioral health when in the criminal justice system,” adding the term is used in legal and clinical contexts for services tied to courts and competency evaluations.
Board discussion on the health‑department contract change order centered on a $157,911 increase requested to extend the contract with Mortons and Cunningham for an expansion and renovation. Deputy County Engineer (speaker 13) told the board that the project’s original phasing could not be met because departments could not be relocated as planned and some clinical operations had to remain in service during construction, requiring additional mobilizations and remediation for water‑intrusion damage. Several supervisors said they were concerned about timing, the possibility of paying twice for remediation, and that the board was not made aware of the change earlier. The board made a motion to continue discussion and asked staff for a timeline and additional details; that motion carried.
On elections, the county recorder requested use of the former Board of Supervisors Auditorium at 198 South Main Street as an early voting and emergency voting site for the July 21 and November 3, 2026 elections. Board members debated open-ended language in the agenda item that would have authorized unspecified “substitutions or additions” to early and emergency voting sites; the board struck the open phrasing, authorized the auditorium for the listed dates with County Attorney approval, and cautioned departments to include budget estimates for any future site modifications.
No vote tallies by name were recorded in the public transcript for these items; each motion was taken by voice vote and noted in the minutes as carrying. The board directed staff to follow up on the terminology used in the psychiatry contract and to return to the board with more detailed information and timeline on the health‑department change order.
The board’s actions on these three items were taken during the consent and discussion portions of the April 6 meeting and are available in the official meeting packet and minutes for follow‑up details.
