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Buena Vista signs co-response MOU to expand mental-health crisis response
Summary
Trustees approved a memorandum of understanding to join a county-run co-response program that pairs clinicians with deputies for behavioral-health calls; the MOU sets roles, data-sharing and an annual funding review tied to the town's budget process.
The Board of Trustees unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding April 28 to participate in a county-based co-response program that pairs behavioral-health clinicians with deputy responders to improve crisis response and follow-up.
Staff described the MOU as a housekeeping step that memorializes roles, funding, data-sharing and operational expectations. The county and Salida already use similar arrangements; the town's MOU mirrors those agreements so the co-response team follows one consistent set of rules across participating jurisdictions. Staff said the county was recently awarded opioid-settlement funds that will be used to expand clinician staffing and weekend coverage for the program.
Trustees asked whether the town's contribution would be reviewed annually and whether contributions would be scaled by usage compared with other jurisdictions. Staff confirmed the MOU contemplates an annual review (quarter 2) of the town's contribution and that any future contribution would remain subject to appropriation through the town budget. Trustees also asked for a more fulsome budget update from the program during the next budget season; staff agreed.
