Board approves $7.5 million reallocation to cover rising Behavioral Health inpatient costs

The Madera County Board of Supervisors on April 21 approved a budget action moving approximately $7.5 million into operating accounts for Behavioral Health Services to pay inpatient hospitalizations and other client treatment costs through the end of fiscal year 2025‑26.

Randall Ridenour, deputy director of Behavioral Health Services, told the board the department was recognizing about $1 million in additional Medi‑Cal revenue and shifting about $6.5 million from salary and benefits savings. "We would like to move 7 and 1/2 million total into the category so we can pay the expenses," Ridenour said, adding that vendor price increases and the number and length of hospital stays are driving costs.

Ridenour said the department’s initial Medi‑Cal budget was about $17.2 million and that claims and federal match are tracking higher — roughly $20.5 million in that fund at the time of the presentation. He said the county is not requesting new money but reallocating existing, unspent salary dollars and newly recognized revenue to cover increased inpatient and treatment costs.

A supervisor asked whether the revenue increase was due to higher enrollment; Ridenour replied that it reflected both more eligible clients and higher minutes‑of‑service (face‑to‑face encounters), which increase the federal match. The board approved the transfer by roll call vote, 4‑0.

The action does not create a permanent new program; it moves existing departmental funds to cover rising vendor and hospitalization costs during the current fiscal year.