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County split on expanding mobile integrated health positions; commissioners agree to prioritize team-lead role
Summary
Douglas County commissioners agreed to prioritize funding a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) team-lead position while continuing governance talks about sharing costs with the city of Lawrence for broader expansion. Commissioners signaled strong support for the MIH model but differed on how to allocate county-only funds versus shared funding.
Commissioners voiced broad support for expanding the county’s Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) effort, but they were split on how to pay for new positions and how governance should be structured.
Several commissioners described the MIH program as a high-impact, upstream intervention that reduces pressure on emergency services. Commissioner (S6) called it “a phenomenal program” and urged expansion, while others emphasized the need to pursue a shared-governance agreement so the city of Lawrence and other partners help bear ongoing costs.
The Chair (S1) and multiple commissioners said they were comfortable funding the team-lead position now and pressing city partners to join a shared funding arrangement for any further expansion. Commissioner (S4) suggested funding one position as a step forward while making it clear to city partners that the county expects shared engagement on future staffing.
Commissioners also flagged operational questions — whether adding a third MIH team member would require another vehicle and whether the exact training mix for staff (paramedic-level vs. alternative staff) could change the program’s cost and effectiveness. Those governance and operational issues will be the subject of follow-up conversations between staff and regional partners.
Next steps: staff will reflect the commissioners’ priority to fund the MIH team-lead in updated budget materials and continue governance conversations with the city and other partners about shared costs for future positions.
