Commission approves Bear River interlocal and appoints behavioral-health director amid public concern

Box Elder County commissioners voted to approve a revised multi-county interlocal agreement formalizing Bear River Health Department as the region's united local health department and to delegate authority to Bear River to sign Medicaid-match contracts, then approved appointing Trevor Cook as the behavioral health director under contract.

Jordan Mathis, who presented the interlocal edits to the commission, said the changes clarify responsibilities and streamline contracting: "So it just authorizes us to sign that contract so it doesn't have to come to you. You've delegated that responsibility for the signing of of the contract." Mathis told commissioners the change aligns Box Elder with other counties and adds nonvoting ex officio seats for entities such as Utah State University and the Cache County executive. Mathis also noted the state-match framework, saying for clarity "52221, is clear that it it's a 20%, match for state funds." The commission approved the interlocal agreement (Resolution 26-27) by voice vote and then adopted the companion contract resolution (26-20) that enables a contracted director.

The commission next moved to appoint Trevor Cook, identified in the presentation as the executive director of Bear River Mental Health, to serve as behavioral health director under the contract; the motion carried on a voice vote. Mathis said the contract language allows Bear River Mental Health to employ the operational director while the counties retain formal appointment authority.

The actions prompted an extended public-comment period. Dozens of residents and Beacon Recovery clients, staff and supporters urged commissioners to preserve patient choice and opposed what they described as an abrupt transition of services to Bear River beginning July 1. Tony Poole, who identified himself as owner of Beacon Recovery, told the commission he would not send clients to Bear River and said he planned legal action: "I will not send 1 single case agreement, nor shall I. I will treat these patients for free, and then I will go borrow money as long as I have to." Other speakers shared personal recovery stories. Casey Cano said of her son's experience: "Beacon didn't just help save my son's life. They gave me my son back, and they saved my life."

Jordan Mathis responded to those concerns in the meeting, saying the transition is not unusual and that the managed-care structure now being implemented provides networks and oversight: "There is a network. There are options, and individual providers can consider being part of that. ... every single person at Beacon that wants to continue their treatment and have it covered by Medicaid can sign that single case agreement and receive the care and complete their care with Beacon." Mathis also emphasized that delegating contract-signing authority to Bear River is intended to reduce administrative burden on counties while preserving mechanisms for individual continuity of care.

Commissioners did not announce additional interim measures at the meeting; the interlocal agreement and the appointment of a behavioral-health director were the immediate, approved actions. Community members at the meeting repeatedly asked for clearer outreach and more time to work through the transition. The county is scheduled to implement aspects of the plan July 1, according to presenters.