By Sam Thomas
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County is looking at ways to fully fund its mental health programs. That was the discussion at Wednesday’s Board of Public Health meeting.
Laura Beavers is manager of Behavioral Health Services at the McLean County Health Department. She said tax revenue from a referendum passed in 1989 still isn’t enough to cover the County’s mental health needs.
“What we have generated through the nickel that was approved through referendum in 1989 and that falls in line for the Board of Health of go ahead and administer,” Beavers said. “That’s not sufficient funding to cover everything that we have.”
Beavers added a proposal from McLean County Court Services to contract behavioral health services would see a cost savings of more than $20,000.
“What Chestnut Health Systems was requesting was $208,000 and with the switch to contracting with to court services, is $186,000 so its about $22,000 (in savings),” Beavers said.
Even with that cost savings, $200,000 in cuts must be made to the proposed mental health funding budget to bring it into balance. The board did not make a recommendation Wednesday, though a final proposal must be submitted by Nov. 9.
San Thomas can be reached at sam.wood@cumulus.com.
