First off, a resolution by Comm. Reyes et al. was passed that provides veteran PTSD screenings and job benefit fairs ( to be located in National Guard armories in each commissioner's district) for the purpose of helping veterans. The county Veterans Assistance Commission will coordinate this with various other veteran organizations. The VA Hospital and HHS are on-board with this.
Numerous concerns were expressed about the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC). Comm. Peraica questioned another $500,000 (for a total of $2.8 million) being requested by Transitional Administrator (TA) Earl Dunlap of the JTDC. This $2.8 million is not in the JTDC budget (which is $41 million), but rather comes from the county self-insurance fund--due to the long-standing court orders. He wondered if this money was being audited and had oversight. CFO, Jaye Williams, questioned why established procedures on bids were not always used by Dunlap. Temporary Administrator Dunlap came later in the meeting and explained that his was a completely transparent administration and anyone could check the finances. He said lowest bid is not always used because he wants to continue mental health services with a proven organization (eg. Isaac Ray Center) that has already been doing a good job with the JTDC. His goal has been to move juveniles out of the JTDC into more appropriate community settings for their drug and mental health issues. This works better and is much more cost-effective.
The Health and Hospital System (HHS) is down on their revenues (patient fees) but expenditures are also down. It is estimated that HHS will expend 95% of their budget by the end of the fiscal year. Several commissioners pointed out that the scare tactics about HHS closing facilities because of the .5% sales tax rollback are misguided.
