Washington County officials flag steep psychiatric placement costs, plan follow‑up strategy

Chair (S1) opened discussion after staff member (S2) presented a quarter‑1 expense report showing three county residents placed at inpatient facilities and rising per‑diem charges. S2 said one placement is governed by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and that “OPWDD views this a little differently” and typically charges the county back 50% for those placements.

Supervisors pressed why Washington County residents often end up at higher‑priced forensic facilities. "It just seems kind of unfair that where they all were last year," the Chair said, citing an example of an extended stay that produced a substantially larger county bill. S2 explained the Office of Mental Health and its forensic bureau make facility designations when a court issues a temporary order of observation and that per‑diem rates reflect staffing and services at each facility rather than a fixed restoration schedule.

Committee members asked whether the county can obtain itemized bills, track cases sent to high‑security facilities that later result in misdemeanor outcomes, and compare placements with peer counties. S9 asked specifically for a detailed per‑client bill to show days and rates; S2 said the state bills on a per‑diem basis and that line‑item detail is limited but that staff would look into available data. S2 also said the district attorney and public defender have been engaged in prior discussion about case handling and agreed they should be invited to future conversations.

The committee agreed to collect supervisors’ questions (by email or a short survey) to send to state contacts and to consider forming a working group with neighboring counties that have pursued similar strategies. No formal vote was taken. S2 said staff will compile questions and follow up with the county’s legislators and appropriate state offices.