Committee considers phased drawdown, caps and repurposing Riverside to assisted living or housing

Committee members and the report author outlined a set of alternative operational pathways meant to reduce county exposure while preserving resident protections. Options discussed included a 32‑month drawdown with a census cap, an immediate admissions-posture change for new behavioral-unit placements, small targeted renovations for occupied areas, public–private partnerships to expand assisted‑living capacity, and reuse of county land for private assisted‑living construction under contract terms that require acceptance of voucher funding.

The presenter emphasized guiding principles for any phase‑down or transition: no displacement without appropriate placement, family and guardian participation in continuity of care safeguards, redeployment or attrition (not abrupt layoffs) for workforce stability, and clinical audits for residents with significant behavioral-health needs before any transfer. "No displacement. No resident is moved without appropriate placement," the presenter said as part of the proposed principles.

Why it matters: these alternatives aim to limit taxpayer liability while addressing county capacity and residents' needs. Committee members asked staff to detail implementation steps, clinical-audit protocols, and timelines to ensure transitions would meet federal regulatory requirements and protect resident rights.