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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM100305 District No. 1 Commissioner: Phil Johnson District No.2 Commissioner: David W. Sullivan District No.3 Commissioner: Patrick M. Rodgers County Administrator: John F. Fischbach Clerk of the Board: Lorna Delaney MINUTES Week of October 3,2005 Chairman Phil Johnson called the meeting to order in the presence of Commissioner David W. Sullivan and Commissioner Patrick M. Rodgers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Rodgers moved to approve the minutes of September 6, 12, 19, and 26,2005 as presented. Commissioner Sullivan seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (General Government: Assessor; Auditor; Elections, Auditor's 0 & M; Commissioners; Board of Equalization; Civil Service Commission; Veterans Relief; County Administrator; Non-Departmental; Treasurer; Treasurer's 0 & M) The Chair opened the public hearing. County Administrator John Fischbach explained that the statute requires that the public hearings for next year's budget be held the first week in October. The County Administrator and the Central Services Director plan to schedule meetings with the Department Heads and Elected Officials later in October. They will also schedule several budget workshops with the Board over the next month. When the final draft budget is available, another public hearing will be held before it is adopted by the Board. The hearings today are for the Board to take testimony from the public on the budget. The Chair opened the public testimony portion of the hearing. Assessor Jack Westerman asked if the Board has reached a decision on the property tax increase? John Fischbach answered that they had discussed 1 % plus new construction. Delmer Sayer, President of the Veterans' Service Officers Association, asked if the levy for the Veterans' Relief Fund is going to be reduced in 2006? Page 1 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 The County Administrator stated that, in the preliminary budget, the Veteran's Relief Fund is funded at the same level as last year. Central Services Director Allen Sartin explained that ifthe cash balance in the fund on September 15 is below a certain level, the County must impose a levy. If it is higher than that level, the Board has the option of not imposing the levy or reducing it. Jack Westerman noted that previous Boards have made the promise to the Veterans that if the fund runs out of money, they will transfer funds from the General Fund. Bill Wheeler, Veterans Service Officer from VFW Post #3213 in Quilcene, urged the Board not to consider a reduction in the Veteran's Relief Fund levy this year. In the past, the outreach for this program was minimal. He feels that it has been underspent because of the lack of knowledge about Veteran's services. This year they want to do more outreach instead of just subsidizing funeral expenses. He doesn't feel that this is the time to cut back on the fund because more Veterans are starting to get involved. Auditor Donna Eldridge explained that this year a Court ruling changed the primary election process. That decision may be overturned, but since they don't know the outcome yet, they had to increase the budget costs for the primary election. An additional cost, as the result of new legislation, requires that the County purchase envelopes with a flap over the voter's signature to prevent identity theft. Al Frank, stated that people's confidence in government starts with their confidence in elections. As an observer, he feels that both the Auditor's Office and the Assessor's Office are run very well. Regarding general government, he suggested that the Board review the 2006 budgets from Pacific, Klickitat, Douglas, and Kittatas Counties to get a perspective of how other counties of similar size spend their money. The Board would find that Jefferson County is "top heavy," because they have given many of their responsibilities to the County Administrator and Central Services Director. In Jefferson County, the County Commissioners job should be a half-time policy-maker job. Treasurer Judi Morris explained that there are some inclusions in her budget for software that will augment the receipting program that will be implemented at the end of 2005. They may have to replace the folding machine that folds the tax statements. Her O&M budget is strictly for the process and costs of collection of foreclosures. Hearing no further comments for or against the proposed budgets listed above, the Chair closed the budget hearing until the Public Works budget was scheduled for review. Page 2 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 , , HEARING re: Proposed Ordinance to Implement a 1/10 of 1 % Sales & Excise Tax for Operation of New or Expanded Therapeutic Court Programs as provided in RCW 82.14.460: Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing in the presence of approximately 30 interested citizens. John Fischbach explained that this hearing is on a proposed ordinance to implement a 1110 of 1 % sales and excise tax for operation of new or expanded therapeutic Court programs as provided in the State statute. The Board has the authority to pass this tax without a vote ofthe people or they can put it on the ballot for the voters to decide. If approved, the State can implement the tax after the next quarter. Judy Tough, Port Townsend, submitted and read her comments into the record. (See permanent record.) She stated that this is an opportunity for Jefferson County to be in the vanguard with other communities in the nation who are applying successful model programs for treating the complexity of co-occurring disorders. She urged the Board to enact the tax at once. Sheila Lauder, Port Townsend, submitted and read her comments into the record. (See permanent record.) She read the testimony of a mother of an adult daughter who has a brain disorder and has abused substances in order to self-medicate. Ruth Gordon, Clerk ofthe Court, explained that it is her job to handle the financial matters that come from criminal convictions of people who have combined mental health and drug abuse issues. Although this would be a tax increase, it may save money because many of these people can't hold ajob to pay the fees that they are assessed and that money comes out of the system. It is a good management decision by the Board to approve this ordinance. Mark J olhems, Port Hadlock, stated that many people have moved to Jefferson County because of the lifestyle and high quality of life. The darker side can be found in the jail. Drug use is exceedingly higher per capita here than in other counties. It is tied to the poor economy. He thinks that the Board needs to support this tax. In 2003, a report on the Health of Jefferson County was released which discusses the conditions of youth, the number of people on welfare, and the number of people that are a burden to society and the health care system. Young people need to have a choice about whether they want to get a job or use drugs. Meth addiction is widespread in the County. As a business person, he doesn't like passing on a sales tax to his customers, but this is something that the County needs. The Jefferson County Drug Court is a rigorous program and it is doing a great job. Safe Harbor also needs support. Sheila Ruby, Port Townsend, stated that she is an alcoholic and drug addict in recovery and she also has a mental illness. She feels it is very important to support this tax. She just recently graduated from Drug Court and has been clean and sober for the past 2 years. About 1 ~ years ago, she was court-ordered to go to inpatient drug treatment. She had been taking a prescription drug for 4 years and was told that she had to be off the medication in order to go to treatment. She was in jail for 50 days and started to taper off the medication because she wanted to get help and change her life. Getting off the drug too quickly, there was an incident with another client at the treatment center and she got kicked out because the counselor thought Page 3 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 ,~ ~ she was faking a mental illness. She has been receiving services though Mental Health and has received services through Safe Harbor in the past. She feels that she has gotten a lot of good help in this community. She has maintained her sobriety and takes the medication that is prescribed and she plans to continue this treatment. Heidi Lee, Sheila's Counselor, added that Sheila's children were all drug involved also. Sheila was able to set an example, and now her children are all clean and lead productive lives. It is important to have a program that treats both the addiction and the mental illness. This is why this type of program is necessary. Heidi Lee, stated that she works for Jefferson Mental Health with the chronic adult population. She facilitates a woman's group and works with a co-occurring disorders group at Safe Harbor. In the last 2 years she has seen a dramatic increase of drug involvement by chronic clients. This causes their symptoms to escalate and leads to hospitalization. Recently, she attended training where they discussed the fact that it is not just the mentally ill adopting addictions because now drugs such as meth can cause immediate addiction, as well as mental illness. There are kids experimenting that could become mentally ill and addicted the first time they use a drug. It would be a courageous move for the Board to approve this tax. Ford Kessler, Safe Harbor, stated that over the last 9 years a lot of work has been done in the County to improve the quality of substance abuse treatment and service. Substance abuse treatment alone doesn't help a lot of people with dual disorders. Safe Harbor has been working with Mental Health over the past few years to develop a treatment program to deal with this on a more intense level. This funding isn't just for mental health, it's also for chemical dependency treatment. Jefferson County's Drug Court system was created without help from the outside. He and the Judge, the Prosecutor, and the Defense Attorney have put in a lot of time and effort into the program without monetary reimbursement because the funding for Drug Court is strictly for treatment. They need funding to have someone do the legwork and then they can do the action part. The Drug Court is successful and has turned people around. All the people who have gone through Drug Court have not had new charges filed against them. They may not have completely stopped using alcohol and drugs, but they aren't getting in trouble. It takes a team of people to make this happen. He urged the Board to pass the tax. Laurie Strong, Jefferson Mental Health, stated that she wants to talk about numbers. Mental illness can range from depression to schizophrenia. Ten to fifteen percent of the people in the U.S. have some form of mental illness. In Jefferson County this would be approximately 2,700 to 4,050 people. Three to five percent of the people in the U.S. suffer from a very serious mental illness. This is 810 to 1,350 people in Jefferson County. Mental illness is a brain disorder and is treatable. Specific mental illnesses need specific treatment. Half the individuals with severe mental illness also have substance abuse disorders. Mental illness and substance abuse significantly impacts the community at large. A proposed budget for a very comprehensive program to treat people with co-occurring disorders would cost $14.22 a day for each of the 40 people that they are currently serving. Hospitalization costs for these same people would run from $415 per day to $1,500 per day. She urged the Board to impose the tax. Page 4 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 ~."""" f .-~ .'.{III ",\,\~"... John Childs, Port Townsend, stated that he has worked in the mental health field for about 40 years. In the 1980's he was Chief of Psychiatry at Harborview Hospital and he held a similar position in the State of Texas. In both areas he worked with a number of mentally ill offenders. At Harborview, they established the first intensive case management program for these individuals. The Jefferson County program would work in terms of economy of scale because serving 40 individuals is about right amount. Operating budgets will have some offsets especially the criminal justice budgets. In the Harborview program, they reduced the reincarceration rate by about 50% over 3 years. There is also an impact to general health care costs, because there won't be as many unscheduled and emergency room visits. Family burden costs are also reduced. From a taxpayer's point of view, he would like to see this program provide outcomes every year including clinical outcomes to make sure that people who come to the program have symptom reduction and that there are reductions in the expected rate of hospitalization and incarceration. The Board should also ask for performance measures and process measures. Mark Huth, District Court Judge, stated that the Board has visited and participated in the Law & Justice Committee, where these issues have been discussed. This is a necessary program, whatever the source of funding. This opportunity by the State Legislature puts the responsibility on local government, but there will be a positive benefit. The offsets have been mentioned, including the jail. Ms. Ruby was very courageous to stand up and say she did 50 days in jail. That wasn't part of her treatment and was not beneficial to her although it got her off the drug she was taking. Right now there isn't an alternative. There are people in jail who don't belong there because they aren't criminals but they are mentally ill and they commit crimes and are of some threat to the community. The jail is the default and it is costly and inappropriate and victimizes them and introduces them to an element of society that will prey on them. People who mix mental illness with drugs and alcohol are particularly vulnerable to the ravages of drug addiction because they don't have clear boundaries and they have problems that can be seemingly, by illusion, alleviated through these substances. They take the substances and feel better, but actually it makes them worse. Methamphetamine has had a particular scourge upon this population because it is one of the strongest drugs to mimic or cause psychotic effects. It doubles the impact of the mental illness. They start to self medicate with methamphetamine and it destroys them. It's hard to watch. Right now there are people who are not in treatment because no drug treatment program will accept them since their mental illness doesn't give a good prognosis for their recovery. They aren't able to understand the principles of sobriety. We need to coordinate the two. Weare taking one step at a time with Drug Court and the Dill Court, but we need this program to add one more piece that is critical and is not being served at this time. These things tend to become institutional, and it will outlive all the people in this room if the Board passes this tax. The benefits will also live on. He urged the Board to adopt the tax whichever way they choose, either by approving the ordinance or taking it to a vote of the people. He feels that there is wide support for it in Jefferson County. Page 5 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3, 2005 ,iN ~ Barbara Carr, Juvenile Services Director, echoed what Ms. Ruby said about co-occurring disorders having an affect on children. As the parent goes, so goes the family. In Juvenile Court, they are seeing many children at a very young age experiencing co-occurring disorders. As the offender population shrinks, the work doesn't lessen because the kids that they are working with are gravely disabled by mental illness and substance abuse. Although the proposal before the Board doesn't specifically address youth, her hope is that as this program is institutionalized, it can be broadened to include kids. The Drug Court piece does include a therapeutic court for dependency families. She supports the Board taking this on. Cheniya Beres, stated that she is a person with a mental disorder. A lot of younger people who have mental disorders aren't aware if it. They might think they are depressed or that it is normal teenage behavior and they start out using drugs and drinking. When they get older, their mental illness is diagnosed and they are addicted to the street drugs and alcohol which causes a huge problem in getting them help. She used to volunteer at the hospital where she saw a lot of people coming in with mental illnesses over and over again because they were doing drugs and self-medicating. These people, who are dual-diagnosed, leave a treatment center for just mental health or just substance abuse and they are very vulnerable. They don't have that many friends and so they tend to cling onto anyone they can. A lot of the time these people have the same problems. She has been hospitalized 8 times and has seen a lot of people with dual-diagnosis who are not getting the help they need. She has been with Jefferson Mental Health for 5 years and has met a lot of people that come and go. It's very sad because they don't have the treatment that they need. They go right back out and it's very dangerous for them. A lot of them become suicidal. The public needs to be aware of how important this program is. She urged the Board to pass the tax. Betty Harmon, Port Ludlow, stated that mental health and health issues have been important to her for a number of years and she is a new member of the Substance Abuse Services Advisory Board. She commended the Board for "pushing the envelope." A community, in the long run will always be judged by how it serves it's most needy citizens. The collaboration of all the organizations that she has heard today is heartwarming. She thanked the Board for facing this issue and asked them to enact the tax. Linda Stewart, stated that out of her 5 children, three of her sons and one daughter have a mental illness. Her oldest son is in and out of court and always in trouble and he can be very dangerous. She has a daughter that is a freshman that has been in special education all her life. She won't admit she has a problem or take her medication because she doesn't fit in with everyone else and the other kids constantly make fun of her. She hopes that her daughter will never get involved in drugs. Her other kids have gotten involved in drugs and two of her children need to have the opportunity to get the treatment they need. Hearing no further comments for or against the proposed ordinance, Chairman Johnson closed the public hearing. Page 6 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 .''''''.'.'... l--~~ ~f"lfl"'l;\'-'''''' Commissioner Sullivan stated that there is a timeline in order to start collecting this tax by the beginning of next year. He directed that one small addition in the ordinance be made in Section 7, Administration of Fund, where it says, "The County Administrator, with the help ofthe Law & Justice Council, is hereby directed to prepare a 6 year spending plan and an annual budget." He wants to add, ''with the help ofthe Law & Justice Council, the Substance Abuse Services Advisory Board and Jefferson County Public Health." He moved to approve the ordinance to enact the sales and use tax providing for the administration and collection thereof, for providing new or expanded chemical dependency or mental health treatment services and for the operation of new or expanded therapeutic court programs as provided in RCW 82.14.460. Commissioner Rodgers stated that before he will second the motion, he would like to explore the possibility of taking the tax before the voters. The community and the courts had begun to bring these two areas together before the legislation was approved, but it is a new program. He feels that this sort of issue needs the support of the entire County. As an individual, he would vote for this tax ifit was on the ballot. He finds it difficult to second a motion that would impose a tax directly on citizens. Commissioner Sullivan explained that there would be a cost for the election and one could not be scheduled until the end of January. Then ifit was passed, the tax wouldn't be collected until July 1. A lot of resources could be gathered if the tax could be collected starting in January and the funding could be put to good use. He thinks the public has spoken. It was a campaign issue for him because of the changes in Medicaid funding. It was discussed in the Healthy Jefferson document and it came out in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. He feels that the community really believes that prevention and early intervention in these problems saves money. If the Board doesn't pass the tax, costs to operate courts, the jail and other taxing districts will increase. Commissioner Rodgers replied that he would be more inclined to vote for this if the County could take the 1/10 of 1 % and use some of it to backfill some of the funding for mental health that has been taken away by the State. The people who are providing the services in this County know where the money needs to be spent. The legislation says that the money has to go toward certain programs and there are existing programs that are suffering because of budget cuts, and now new programs will be added. Mental health and substance abuse issues need to be addressed but he doesn't like the way the State has set about addressing them. Commissioner Sullivan feels that this ordinance doesn't define exactly how the money is to be spent. It has to be done in a way that meets the need as the need changes. He noted that Commissioner Rodgers is on the Law & Justice Committee and the Substance Abuse Services Advisory Board and can help craft the program so that it is accountable, effective, and meets those needs. Page 7 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 fJ'"'' "" ;" -~ ~ 0.... "" fllll"'l"~' Chairman Johnson seconded the motion because he believes that there is a huge need for the program and it is a very small tax. The Chair called for a vote on the motion to enact ORDINANCE NO. 08-1003-05 which carried by a unanimous vote. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: The following comments were made: the tax burden in the County has to be directly related to the ability of working families to pay, and when the Board begins to work on the 2006 Budget, they need to take into account the highest priorities and not say "yes" to everything; the Quilcene Teen Center closed on September 30, the resurfacing of the sport court at the Quilcene Community Center has been put off for 4 years, but they finally have PUD water service; a request was made that the current Board send a letter to the previous County Commissioners thanking them for taking on the water service project almost 4 years ago and not giving up on it; several people thanked the Board for passing the ordinance to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment services; the Prosecuting Attorney has a video on meth that should be distributed to all the schools; and the Dosewallips River Road should be decommissioned and not be rebuilt. APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT AGENDA: Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. 1. RESOLUTION NO. 63-05 re: Cost Allocation Plan for Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006 2. EASEMENT, TEMPORARY re: Dosewallips River Enhancement Project; Jefferson County Public Health, Natural Resources Division; Arlene Crowell (Parcel No. 602341005) 3. AGREEMENT re: Consulting Services for Review of Permitting & Plat Issues of Ludlow Bay Village in Port Ludlow; Jefferson County Community Services; Mike Bergstrom 4. AGREEMENT re: Funding for Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program to Serve Juvenile Dependency Cases, Title 13 Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Volunteers; Jefferson County Juvenile and Family Court Services; Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts 5. AGREEMENT re: Dosewallips River Enhancement Demolition; Jefferson County Public Health, Natural Resources Division; Reeves Excavating 6. AGREEMENT re: Employee Assistance Services; First Choice Health Employee Assistance Program 7. CALL FOR BIDS re: Courthouse Site and Landscape Improvement; Bid Opening Scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2005 at 10:05 a.m. in the Commissioners Chamber 8. Letter Regarding Irondale/Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA); Michael Regan, Irondale Community Action Neighbors and Nancy Dorgan 9. Letter Encouraging Funding Support for the Jefferson County Historical Society's Port Townsend City Hall Project; John Van Zytveld, Ph.D., Senior Program Director, M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust Page 8 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 ~"'''.'''.'' ; -. _.~ "':jt.~llr..t:.~"" HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (Public Works Department: County Roads/Construction & Administration; County Roads/Maintenance; Brinnon and Quilcene Flood Control; Flood/Stormwater Management; County Parks Improvement; Parks & Recreation; Solid Waste) Chairman Johnson opened the Public Works budget portion of the public hearing. Al Frank, Port Townsend, stated that he thinks Public Works is probably the biggest area of discretionary spending and requires the most leadership from the Board as elected officials. There has to be clear direction about what needs to be done and the level of service that needs to be provided. The Board needs to look at the best way to provide services cost effectively. The way things are done may need to be changed and other alternatives may need to be adopted. He stated that Jefferson County ranks 35th in the number of county road miles out ofthe 39 counties in Washington. He encouraged the Board to look at budgets from other counties. He suggested that the Board spend at least half their time looking at the Public Works budget when they begin to work on the budget. Hearing no further comments for or against the proposed Public Works 2006 budget, the Chair closed the hearing until the scheduled time for the Public Services budgets. HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (Public Services: Cooperative Extension; Weed Board; Community Services; Conservation Futures; Hotel/Motel; Marine Resources; 4-H After School Program) Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing on the Public Services portion of the 2006 Budget. William Wheeler, President of the Olympic Shadow Forest Owner's Association, stated that they just received a USDA grant to do a feasibility study of low impact forestry. They would not have received the grant without the encouragement and help ofWSU. He has been through a lot of courses that WSU/Extension has sponsored. He encouraged the Board to do anything they could to continue the County's relationship with WSU/Extension regarding the small amount of money in the budget for operations and the other funding that goes into their programs. Hearing no further comments for or against the 2006 budget for the Public Services budgets listed above, Chairman Johnson closed the public hearing until the scheduled time for review of the remaining Public Services budgets. Suzanne Wildman, Community Education Coordinator for Jefferson County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program re: Proclamation Declaring October 2005 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month": Suzanne Wildman introduced Cheryl Bozarth, the new Executive Director for Jefferson County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program. Cheryl Bozarth thanked the Board for supporting the program and bringing awareness to the problems domestic violence in the community with this proclamation. Chairman Johnson read the proclamation. Page 9 Commissioners Meeting Minutes: Week of October 3,2005 ,"~1~ JIj Commissioner Sullivan moved to approve the proclamation declaring October, 2005 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month." Commissioner Rodgers seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (Public Services: Community Development; Planning Commission; Public Health; Natural Resources; Watershed Planning) Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments for or against the proposed 2006 Public Services budgets listed above, the Chair closed this portion of the hearing until the scheduled time for the Internal Services department's budgets. HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (Internal Services: Facilities; Construction and Renovation; Capital Improvement; Courthouse Improvement; Equipment Rental & Replacement; Information Services; Safety & Security) Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments for or against the proposed 2006 budgets listed above, the Chair closed this portion of the hearing until it was time for the Law & Justice budgets to be reviewed. HEARINGS re: 2006 Budget: (Law and Justice: Clerk; Law Library; Superior Court; Juvenile Court; District Court; Prosecuting Attorney; Coroner; Crime Victims; Drug Fund; Sheriff; Animal Services; Jeff Com) Chairman Johnson opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments for or against the proposed 2006 budgets, the Chair closed the public hearing. t . ~ ~ ! ~. ;.,',( '~.:;.,) ~. ~ - .~.If 'T:"'1:'~ .~ , AlI~ ...-., _,~,,<j · SO" \I' <>.- / -~- -:';::-'1 ('.' ,;lJ^'-'""'P(o.<fIrcrCOJ ,'/flL Julie Matthes, CMC Deputy Clerk of the Board JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~- Page 10 JEFFERSON COUNTY GUEST LIST HEARING: 1/10 of 1 % Sales and Excise Tax for 0 eration of New or Ex anded Thera eutic Court Pro rams DATE: Monda. October 3.2005 at 9 a.m. PLACE: Commissioners' Chambers NAME (Please Print) STREET ADDRESS CITY Testimony? YES NO MAYBE ~DD ~DD D~D D D~ ~DD DD~ DD% DJ] D " GDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD JEFFERSON COUNTY GUEST LIST HEARING: 1/10 of 1% Sales and Excise Tax for 0 eration of New or Ex anded Thera eutic Court Pro rams DATE: Monda. October 3,2005 at 9 a.m. PLACE: Commissioners' Chambers NAME (Please Print) STREET ADDRESS CITY t4R'K vTH (hlJ~tttt pt [me rL UJ \ \ rY1Ar t- () Sj,lIrr.e I d Y I( 4NU- r/)~'I J<( ~ ti- t- Ccsv '^ ~ JU.VC'l/\' i.L i- ~ JS-~v d",,- Po Al [;uoyv3 e~ ({ ( t .r Testimony? YES NO MAYBE g/DD [3-E] D ErDD QVL] D D ciD riDD ifDD ODD D~D DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD DDD HEARING RECORD JEFFERSON RENTAL HEALTH SERY/CES Community Supported Outpatient Care for East Jeffer!KJn Cout1fJ!..f'Ji!!!ren, Adolescents, Adults and Older Adults-24 Hour Crisis I (-11 j7:J f1 'Ii n ,. ., L.~~<{ ~~~~ '; :, / ' ~ 1i August 8, 2005 The Honorable Phil Johnson Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners Jefferson County Courthouse Port Townsend, W A 98368 ~:EP o 8 2005 Dear Commissioner Johnson, Thanks to SB 5763, an omnibus act addressing mental illness and substance abuse, every county in Washington State has been given a unique opportunity to stand up and do something substantive to reduce suffering, loss of life, and spiraling Law and Justice costs. The bill allows 1/10th of one percent sales and use tax increase specifically to enhance therapeutic courts and develop integrated programs for the treatment of people with co-occurring substance abuse disorder and mental illness, with the clear understanding that by doing so, suffering and loss of life will be reduced, and money will be saved. Every Board of County Commissioners is faced with two choices: 1) decide to save lives and lower costs, or decide not to, 2) decide now through vote of the Commissioners, or delay the decision and risk the oppor- tunity to save lives and lower costs; and at the least, suffer unnecessary interim losses. If voted in, the cost to the purchasing Jefferson County taxpayer would be negligible, literally pennies: 1 penny for every ten-dollar sales/use-taxed purchase. If denied, the fmancial cost to the Jefferson County taxpayer will continue to increase as police, sheriff, prosecutor and court systems struggle with an increasing load and limited options; mental health and substance abuse treatment providers will continue to struggle with funding crises and a system that militates against best practices and realistic support. Lives will be lost, wholly, or through unnecessary diminished capacity. If affirmed, the substance abuse and mental health treatment agencies in Jefferson County, and both Superior and District Courts, would immediately move ahead to implement the plan and program proposal that they believe will make a substantive difference and that is being presented to you. Board of Directors President Z. Jack Randall Vice President Quentin Goodrichl Secretary w.e. Henry Members Doris Hardyman Rex Whipple Mike Beers Sandra Stewart We, the Board of Directors of Jefferson Mental Health Services (JMHS), respectfully urge you to L . itxecu~:~i~~~~ . . gh' . ffi' h tak d aune rang, , make that deCISIon now, throu CommISSIoner vote, and a Irmatlvely c oose to e a vantage po Box 565/884 W. Park of this unique opportunity. As you are well aware, substance abuse and mental illness are Port Townsend, WA 98368 repeatedly listed as significant health and economic problems in Jefferson County. At JMHS the Phone: 360-385-0321 seriousness, frustration and heartbreak of this health problem is evident daily. We are committed Fax: ~~g~~~~~~~ to continue our dual disorders work with Safe Harbor, even in the face of recent federal/state Email: generaf@jmhs.info funding regulation that increases cost and denies mental heath system financial support. Here, wwwjmhs.info incredibly and at last, is a legislative action that will solve problems instead of increase them! Please, say yes. 6{ Quentin Goodrich, Vice President HEARING RECORD Cl I~~ ') 1('\ q r\, .~'., ;.. :..~ i~ '\) L. ." I.. .... September 9,2005 Board of County Commissioners Jefferson County Court House 1820 Jefferson St. Port Townsend, W A 98368 Dear Board of County Commissioners: The Jefferson County Law and Justice Council has had recent presentations on the Senate Bill 5763 that allows for the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to implement new sales tax that allows and dedicates the resulting revenues to the local Mental Health and Substance Abuse programs. The purpose would be to expand existing programs for county clients that are involved in mental health and substance abuse issues. A subcommittee of the Law and Justice Committee met to discuss the SB5763 and made its recommendations to the Law and Justice Committee to support SB5763 and to forward their recommendation on to the BOCC (see attached). It was unanimously approved by the Law and Justice Council to support the recommendations and to forward it on to the BOCC. We appreciate the BOCC's consideration in this matter. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Bill NeSmith, Chair Jefferson County Law and Justice Council l_ Jefferson County Community Network Subcommittee of the Law & Justice Council Special Meeting on SB5763 August 11, 2005 Jefferson Mental Health Services Attending: Laurie Strong, Ford Kessler, Jean Baldwin, Crad Verser, Mark Huth, Beth Wilmart. Recommendation to the Law & Justice Council Given the requirement of the SB5763, and the unique needs of Jefferson County, the group recommends the following: 1. The BOCC go forward with the new sales tax, as provided for in the bill; 2. The proceeds be allocated to the following programs: a. Expand the existing Therapeutic Court to include a Mental Health Court; b. Expand the existing Therapeutic Court to include dependency cases (as required). It is noted that a very small number of dependency cases are filed each year. c. Add a Program Assistant (probably part-time) to the Therapeutic Court staff, to manage program evaluation and ease the current administrative burden. d. Fund a combined chemical dependency/mental health treatment program. i. Intensive Case Management ii. Evidence-based 111. Estimate 25+ clients per year IV. Clients are not necessarily court-involved . 615 Sheridan. Castle Hill Center. Port Townsend, W A 98368. .360/379-4495. FAX 385-9401 . ,'; D n f".nr. . (..J () lL;US September 9, 2005 Board of County Commissioners Jefferson County Court House 1820 Jefferson St. Port Townsend, W A 98268 Dear Board of County Commissioners (BOCC): The Jefferson County Law and Justice Council received a letter dated August 8, 2005, from the Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Program (see attached) requesting our support for their letter to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners (see attached). In essence they are requesting that the full amount of the $6.00 increase for filing fees for dissolutions, legal separations and declarations of invalidity of marriage be allocated by the BOCC to the Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Program. While the funding will not be significant, it will demonstrate that the County recognizes the serious problem of domestic violence in our community and their support for the only community-based victim services program in the County. On August 25, 2005, the Jefferson County Law and Justice Council unanimously voted to support their letter to the BOCC. Respectfully submitted, ,~~. Bill NeSmith, Chair Jefferson County Law and Justice Council Aue 22 05 03:47p DVSA of JeFFerson Count~ 360 385 2338 p.3 ~ Dome! tic Violence Sexual A~lsault Program Confidlmtial and Carina P.O. Box 743, P3rt Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: 385-5291 (24 hour) August 8,2005 Mr. Bill NeSmith, Chair Law and Justice Council 915 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 Dear Bill: In the 2005 regular legislative session, thll Washington State Legislature amended RCW 3618 by increasing the filing fees for diss\>lutions, legal separations, and declarations of invalidity of marriage. RCW 36.18.016 (2)(b) directs that $6.00 of the $30.00 increase be retained by the county for the pwpose of supporting community-based services within the county for victims of domestic violenl:e, except for five percent of the six dollars, which may be retained by the court for administrative purposes. Prior to 2002, the County provided a substantial grant to the Domestic Violence Program for the purpose of supporting .services for victims of domestic violence. Due to a sharp reduction in revenues, the County phased out that financial support with all support ending in December, 2004. Since the Pro.Vam currently is receiving no County funding, we are requesting that the Board of Count 'f Commissioners allocate the full amount of the $6.00 to the Domestic Violence Program lather than retaining a portion of the fee for administrative purposes. This allocation ~/ill not replace the "lost funding," because there just aren't that many family law C3S( s filed each year in our county. However, it will demonstrate that the County, as well LS OUT state legislators, recognizes the serious problem of domestic violence in our comn IUnity and their support for the only community-based victim services prograrr in the County. As Chair of the DV/SA Program Board of Directors, I am asking the Law and Justice Council to support the Program's request to the Board of County Commissioners for this allocation of these funds. Sincerely, Mike Brasfield Jefferson County Sheriff ~ Aue 22 05 03:4?p DVSA ot Jefferson Count~ 360 385 2338 p.2 (i) Dome:itic Violence Sexual A 5sault Program Confid entia! and Carina P.O. Box 743, f'ortTownsend, WA98368 Phone: :l85-529J (24 hour) August 8, 2005 Board of County Commissioners P.O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, W A 98368 Dear Sirs: In the 2005 regular legislative session, the Washington State Legislature amended RCW 2618 by increasing the filing fees for dissolutions, legal separations, and declarations of invalidity of marriage. RCW 36.18.016(2)(b) directs that $6.00 of the $30.00 increase be retained by the County for the purpose of supporting community-based services within the County for victims of domestic violen;;e, except for five percent of the six dollars, which may be retained by the court for administrative purposes. Prior to 2002, the County provided a substantial grant to the Domestic Violence Program for the purpose of supporting services for victims of domestic violence. Due to a sharp reduction in revenues, the County phased out that fmancial support with all support ending in December, 2004. Since the Program currently is receiving no County funding, we are requesting that the Board of County Commissioners allocate the full amount of the $6.00 to the Domestic Violence Program rather than retaining a portion of the fee for administrative purposes. This allocation will not replace the "lost funding," because there just aren't that many family law cases filed each year in our County. However, it will demonstrate the County, as welI as ow~ state legislators, recognizes the serious problem of domestic violence in our community and their support for the only community-based victim services program in the County. If you would like more infonnation conceming this request, please contact me at 385- 5292 or (email) director@dvsaieffco.org. Sincerely, Peggy Thompson Executive Director ~-._~--.,,~~~- ....~ HEARING RECORD September 15,2005 418 Reed St. ,...__ Port Townsend, itA; ;:~I C F) ;~~ :~~: 2005 Jefferson County Commissioners Court House Port Townsend, WA Dear Commissioners, I encourage you to adopt an increase in our sales tax to fund services for co- occurring disorders. I work at Jefferson Mental Health Services. I constantly see the need for more preemptive service for the mentally ill involved with drugs and alcohol. I answer the phone for our crisis line. 911 calls me about these people. The police, jail, emergency room, Community Action, landlords, parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors, spouses and pastors call me about these people. Most everyone knows someone whose marriage, business, education and life has been impacted by mental illness compounded with drugs and alcohol. Look real close at the suicide reports in our county. I wish we had more services to offer. With more funds we would have more service. It is difficult to raise taxes but our community must take care of its own. This tax might cost each resident $10 a year. That is about two minutes in the emergency room for a person who was not helped earlier in the decompensation process. That is about three hours of a jail sentence for a person self medicating illegally. Our money will give a better return if spent therapeutically. If you have questions or need more information come by and visit us here at JMHS. Or call me on the crisis line, because this is a community crisis we are dealing with. b~ Leslie Locke From: Sent: To: Subject: David Sullivan Friday, September 23,20054:06 PM Leslie Locke FW: Sales Tax increase HEARING RECORD >---------- >From: Stephen Willing[SMTP:ECOPLACE@OLYMPUS.NET] >Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 4:07:08 PM >To: David Sullivan >Subject: Sales Tax increase >Auto forwarded by a Rule > Dear Mr. Sullivan, I object to the proposed sales tax increase slated for mental health issues and am asking you to withdraw your support of it. I am unable to attend the public hearing on this matter so am sending you an email instead. As a managing partner of an overnight transient accommodation that has been in continual operation since the 1930's our guests are already paying to much tax for the privilege of staying in Jefferson county. Our guests are astonished at the 10.3% sales tax they must pay. Asking them to pay 10.4% while not seeming like much, is turning into a burdensome amount. Perhaps the commissioners would do well to check with a number of accommodations to see what their occupancy rates were this past summer. I have heard from numerous owners and operators that their numbers are down. Perhaps the sales tax is part of the problem? Since overnight stays in Jefferson County have been declining since the spring of 2001 for most operations, it would be advisable to reconsider additional tax burden impacts to one of the largest industries in the county. In addition, I will seriously limit my spending in Jefferson County should the tax rate increase. Out of county stores offer more of what I need, and the internet/catalogs provide goods without as much sales tax. 1 ~ I;l,~~~~; . r~ < \ . '- ( L' , ~ ~ -,' .,..'~' ------- o e!fer~ (J. 6;:;;: P~:rSI j) ,-SvI;'v~}~Z'~ ' ,o~ /~QlLJ '""~,"~, (J",i k~"W 9rf 36:f lJ"7Yrrzt ;;J I , ~fy +1'K' I; "'~u 1$ _ ,'''9< rt;l , 6~}I(l~0 .7j(ti~\, <Y' /ywtil ~/s ~f'" ,.<_..."....'.'..'".."~;..'.;..".'~::.".;....L:..':..'i:i:"'\;c: ' .- b&d."j;;i:<; ~ )V~CJ~f . (;. . 7 (> '1 ,",., . , .),1, " '.. .'..' ,.. .. .., .'. i ':e, "0 . ",,"', :{]~O:>3Y . H I' ,. ,';; "",": U ,5'~ ~j/'H y;liw Uf (} ) /}p ~ V " - ..........-., HEARING RECORD MolIi Hinkle, M.D. Adult, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry P.O. Box 223 Port Townsend, W A 98368 360.821.9272 '. .. Jefferson County Board of Commissioners 1820 Jefferson Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 '" () !~j 200j September 27,2005 Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, I am writing to support the proposed ordinance that provides additional funding for chemical dependency and mental health treatment services by imposing a 1/101h of 1% sales tax. I am sorry to miss the rescheduled meeting on this issue, as I will be out of the State. I will not bore you with a regurgitation of the facts, but would like to voice my strong support for this ordinance. Dual diagnosis, the combination of mental health problems with substance abuse, is a complex issue that requires a multi-system approach. A large portion of my clientele struggle with both addiction and mental health problems. I have seen remarkable improvement when both of these issues are addressed, but funding is needed to address them. In dealing with dual-diagnosis clients, there are biological, psychological, and social issues at work. Clearly, the treatment is complex, but the good news is that proper treatment can improve the outcome for these clients. While proper treatment may appear expensive, it often prevents the clients from depending on other more costly services. Prevention, in this case, is without a doubt cheaper than the burden placed on the legal, education, and public health systems that occurs when treatment is not available. It is in everyone's interest in Jefferson County for this ordinance to be passed. I have read the arguments and not only agree with the statements I have reviewed, but also strongly advocate the adoption of Ordinance for the purposes of funding substance abuse and mental health treatment. Sincerely, MQiIb MolIi Hinkle, M.D. Adult Psychiatrist Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist ~ - - Message -) tt', hLC(_< ' CA. \,y /3D~: ~ Neu...sf1rC'c'S,) It Page 1 of 1 Leslie Locke From: Pat Rodgers Sent: Thursday, September 29,20055:46 PM HEARING RECORD To: Leslie Locke Subject: FW: Public Hearing October 3,2005,9:00 am 1/10 of 1 % funds From: Laurie Strong[SMTP:LAURIES@JMHS.INFO] Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 5:48:30 PM To: David Sullivan; Phil Johnson; Pat Rodgers Subject: Public Hearing October 3,2005,9:00 am 1/10 of 1 % funds Auto forwarded by a Rule I have put together a budget for the CODIT proposal, which is attached. I won't be in the office tomorrow (friday) but will certainly be at the hearing. Thank you, Laurie Laurie Strong Jefferson Mental Health Services PO Box 565, Port Townsend, WA 98368 Phone: (360) 385-2893 Fax: (360) 385-3944 ~ 9/30/2005 . .. ~ ~.. CODIT Co-Occurrina Disorder Intearated Treatment Proaram A combined project of Jefferson Mental Health Services and Safe Harbor/Beacon of Hope Budaet - Year One @ full enrollment of 40 clients EXPENSE Personnel: 1 FTE Case Manaaer II Provides outreach and assertive Case Management for a caseload ranging from 25 to 40 clients; BA plus 4 years in MH Case Management field,Registered, plus 1 or more years experience and/or training in CD Treatment. Attends team meetings. Wages & Benefits: $38,960 .40 FTE CD Specialist II Provides S/A Education & Treatment -Individual and Group- to clients in appropriate stages of readiness; family education; referral as necessary, some case management. Certified, BA plus 4 years in CD Treatment, plus 1 or more years experience and/or training in MH. Attends team meetings. Wages & Benefits: 15,584 .40 FTE MH Specialist II Provides (billable) Mental Health Treatment to clients and Family Psychoeducation. Some case management. Certified/licensed MA/MSW plus 5 post graduate years in treatment services to individuals with severe mental illness, plus 1 or more years experience and/or training in CD field. Attends team meetings. Wages & Benefits: 18,360 .20 Psychiatric Nurse Provides (billable) medication monitoring and assistance. Licensed, 5 years experience in psychiatric nursing. CD experience preferred. Attends team meetings. Wages & Benefits: 8,680 .15 Proaram/Clinical Supervisor Certified/Licensed MA/MSW with 7 or more years in treatment services to individuals with severe mental illness, training and/or experience in the CD field, and 4 or more years in program development and clinical supervision. Attends team meetings, provides program management and supervision. Wages & Benefits: 7.500 Total Waae & Benefits: $ 89,084 Personnel: Contract Psychiatrist: Licensed with experience in treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency. Provides evaluation and pharmocological treatment, including prescription of psychiatric medications within protocol for dual disordered clients and medications known to be effective in decreasing substance use. Works closely with team & client, attends weekly team meeting. $105/hour. Projected at 25 hours a month: $ 31,500 Evaluator: Research and evaluation firm (such as Maike & Associates) for first year of project: identify, evaluate outcomes, fidelity scales, and produce report, @ 11 % of project total. $ 22,000 Housing and Vocational assistance are important components in establishing and maintaining stability. The need for these services varies, and once accessed may not need to be re-accessed for successful clients. CaDIT Budget Narrative 1 October, 2005 Housino Specialist: Experience and knowledge in accessing Residential Services, including support and monitoring, for clients in need of appropriate housing. $ 8,400 Vocational Specialist: Experience and knowledge in evaluation of work skills and needs, readiness to work, and employment development and support 9.000 Total Contract Personnel Costs: $ 70,900 Indirect Personnel costs: per JMHS Cost Allocation Plan/Federal: Accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, contract managemen/administration costs: $ 10,950 Mileage & Transportation 500 Training 750 Total Indirect Personnel Costs $ 12,200 Total Personnel Costs: Other Costs Communication Dues/Licenses Equipment, large furnishings Equipment, rental Facility rent Facility repair/improvement Facility maintenance Furnishings, small Insurance Miscellaneous Postage & Delivery Printing & Reproduction Program Expense Supplies - Office Supplies - Other Taxes Utilities Wraparound Funds Reference Materials Total Other Costs: Total Expenses: Third party billables Other revenue (county) REVENUE $ 40,000 167.608 Total Revenue: $ 172,184. 2,710 954 1,530 238 3,000 954 212 160 4,500 350 200 450 9,600 1,166 1,250 1,100 2,500 6,000 550 $ $ 35.424 207,608 $ 207,608 CODIT cost per client: Vs. Psychiatric hospitalization cost: Year $5,190/year range of Day $14.22/day $415.79 to $1,535/day CaDIT Budget Narrative 2 October, 2005 Her IcARING RECORD Sheila Lauder, 805 58th Street Port Townsend, Wa. 98368 before Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Rodgers, and Commissioner Sullivan, on October 3rd, 2006. My name is Sheila Lauder and I serve as president of the board of the Jefferson County Affiliate of NAMI (the National Alliance on Mentalllllness). NAMI is a grassroots organisation formed in 1979 with a mission to offer support, advocacy and education for the mentally ill, their families and friends. This is a special week for mental health. It's National Mental Illness Awareness Week. Thursday is Bi-Polar Awareness Day. And on Wednesday NAM I Jefferson County celebrates its first anniversary. Today can become milestone for mental health in Jefferson County, if, effective immediately, the Board Commissioners uses its authority and acts on legislation that will enable funding for a pilot program in our community to treat co-ocurring mental illness and alcohlic and substance addiction. This is from a NAMI member. It's the testimony of a Jefferson County resident with a daughter, also a resident, who has a serious mental disorder. Sadly there is a lot of stiQma and ignorance surrounding mental illness so in order to protect their pnvacy and anonymity I'm honored to present this testimony today on their behalf. "I am the mother of an adult daughter who has a brain disorder and has abused substances in order to seff-medicate. In other words, she falls into the category of people who exhibit co-occurring disorders of mental illness and chemical dependency. It is important to my daughter and to me to tell you our personal story even though now it is being made public. I checked with my daughter about the possibility that she may be identified, despite our hope to keep this testimony anonymous to protect her privacy. She gave me her blessing and said that she knew it was important to get people the help they need, and she would take the risk. She is both incredibly compassionate and brave. My daughter was cruelly struck down with bi-polar disorder 6 years ago when she was in her mid 30s, financially successful in her career as a Los Angeles fine artist, and happily married. She lost her husband, her career, and the L.A. home she owned. She has had several involuntary hospitalizations. She has attempted suicide. She and we, her parents, now know that her past attempts to self medicate with alcohol and marijuana instead interfered with her prescribed medications for her brain disorder, which resulted in mental health relapses that became life threatening. Her experience of self-medication, relapse and life destruction is echoed by hundreds of our current neighbors and fellow citizens who want to be healthy and want to stay healthy but don't know how. Her experience could continue to be reflected in the generations to come. As our county population grows, so shall the numbers of people needing this type of help. We need this tax to give people who are so vulnerable, through no fault of their own, some tools for success. We need to give a "hand up" to those for whom the curse of misunderstanding and stigma is so prevalent. It takes collaborative, coordinated, consistent and integrated efforts between chemical dependency counselors and mental health professionals to emotionally support these afflicted folks, to help them have insights into their illness, to teach them how to recognize their individual mental health needs, and to share techniques to resist the temptation to blot out the horror and grief of an unrelenting and persistent brain disorder through alcohol or drugs. I want to end my testimony by assuring you that people do recover! I've read about them in mental health newsletters and magazines. Even though they had been afflicted with co-occurring disorders, they found out how to be healthy, stay healthy and became productive and sometimes, even famous, citizens. The knowledge is out there, we just need to make it available here. I respectfully hope that each of you will vote to enact the tax now because you know it is an investment, that it is the right and prudent thing to do both for now and for the future. Please do not jeopardize nor delay the helpthat is available by putting this decision on the ballot. Thank you for your attention and consideration, A concerned and hopeful resident of Jefferson County" . .... Oct.3, 2005 HEA\R't~JG RECORD Testimony before Jefferson County Commissioners Phil Johnson, Pat Rodgers, David Sullivan From: Judy Tough, 424 Colman Dr., Port Townsend, WA Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Rodgers, and Commissioner Sullivan, I am Judy Tough, a resident of Cape George, serve as a Jefferson County representative on the RSN Advisory Board and also am the vice- president of the board of the Jefferson County affiliate of NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The combination of mental illness and substance abuse is so common that many clinicians who work with those with brain disorders now expect to find it. Studies show that fully 500/0 of persons with mental illness also have a substance abuse problem. And more that half the persons with a substance abuse diagnosis also have a diagnosable mental illness. .. "'. Dual diagnosis means the condition is especially complex and difficult to manage. Families with a dually diagnosed member may experience twice the problems of those whose family member has only one disorder. Increasingly, the psychiatric and drug counseling communities agree that both disorders must be integrated and treated at the same time. Early studies show that when mental illness and substance abuse are treated together, suicide attempts and psychotic episodes decrease rapidly. One tenth of one percent tax increase is a small price to pay for saving lives and providing an opportunity for people to become productive and successful citizens. This is an opportunity for Jefferson County to be in the vanguard with other communities in the nation who are applying successful model programs for treating the complexity of co- occurring disorders. NAMI Jefferson County joins with the others who speak in favor of enacting this small tax that will generate a large amount of good and alleviate a great amount of suffering. We would respectfully urge you, the commissioners, to enact this tax at once and not delay this unique opportunity offered to you to make a difference today. Thank you.