HomeMy WebLinkAbout89-070BUTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH CUTS PROPOSED IN THE STATE BUDGET
WHEREAS, State law requires counties to provide local
mental health services; and
WHEREAS, the State funds local mental health programs
with a 90 percent allocation, requiring a 10 percent match from the
counties with populations over 110,000; and
WHEREAS, California was a national leader in
"deinstitutionalization" of the State hospital during the 1960's
and 1970's. Mental patients were to be moved from large State
institutions to live in their own communities where they would
receive more humane and cost-effective treatment. The closure of
the State hospitals would realize considerable State savings which
was to have been transferred to the counties; and
WHEREAS, the patients were transferred to the counties,
but only a fraction of the savings and necessary cost was
transferred with them; and
WHEREAS, the transfer of the mental health program began
underfunded, and has been steadily eroded by population growth and
inflation; and
WHEREAS, the lack of cost-of-living adjustments, coupled
with underfunded mandates, has placed a significant burden on
ceunties; and
WHEREAS, the State's Legislative Analyst estimates that
county match and overmatch has grown from $8.4 million in 1980-81
to $102 million in 1986-8Z; and
WHEREAS, the California local mental health system is
currently in an emergency situation; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's proposed budget suggests the
passibility of a $209 million reduction in local mental health
services if certain legislative measures are not passed by the
State Legislature; and
WHEREAS, this cut would reduce the current level of state
resources for the local care and treatment of the mentally ill by
more than 40 percent which is five times the largest cut ever
sustained in a single year in local mental health programs since
1957.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of
Supervisors opposes any reduction to local mental health programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that because there is a severe
crisis in the California public mental health system, the Board of
Supervisors will explore legislation or legal means to disengage
from the mandates of the Short-Doyle (local mental health) Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors
authorizes the Chair of the Board to sign this resolution on their
behalf.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the
County of Butte, State of California this 16th. day of May, 1989
by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Dolan, McInturf, McLaughlin, Vercruse and
Chairman Fulton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: None
LEN ON, 0 airma
Butte County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
William H. Randolph
Clerk of the and of Supervisors
By
Deputy