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County staff backs Polk County ask for resolutions as law enforcement reminded of Chapter 51 transport responsibility
Summary
Sawyer County Health and Human Services staff signaled support for Polk County's request that counties back a resolution calling for more local capacity to manage crisis holds; county administrators reiterated that law enforcement retains responsibility and costs when transporting people under Chapter 51 commitments.
Chair Kay Wilson called the Sawyer County Health and Human Services Committee to order on July 9, 2024, where members heard an administration report about countywide mental-health transport responsibilities and intercounty resolution requests.
Why it matters: Polk County has asked other counties to join a resolution urging more capacity for facilities that can manage civil mental-health commitments. Without more local capacity, law enforcement agencies are repeatedly asked to arrange or pay for long transports, a cost and staffing burden for county police and sheriffs.
During administration reports, Agency official Andy Albarado said Polk County will draft a resolution and is requesting support from other counties. Albarado told the committee that Sawyer County administration and HHS staff are "in favor of pursuing this" and noted TRH Ad Hoc Committee members were set to meet July 31 to advance related work.
Albarado also summarized guidance sent to local law enforcement about Chapter 51 commitments: under state law, the law enforcement agency is responsible for transporting someone placed under Chapter 51; the agency may hire a private transport vendor but remains responsible for the cost. Albarado said some individual transports have exceeded $1,500, and that agencies have been hiring outside vendors largely because of limited officer availability to make long trips. He said jurisdictions are exploring reciprocal coverage arrangements so agencies can provide transport for one another and avoid higher vendor fees.
The report did not include a formal resolution or ordinance for committee action; members discussed the possibility of supporting Polk County's effort and next steps, with staff directed to pursue coordination and report back.
Next steps: TRH Ad Hoc Committee will meet July 31; the administration indicated it would update the HHS committee on progress and any draft resolution. The committee added "resolutions" to a future agenda list.
Provenance: The account is based on the administration report given at the July 9 meeting (transcript support: topic introduction SEG 003; topic finish SEG 003).
