Commissioners OK crisis receiving center study

ALBANY — Linn County will study the feasibility of developing a 24-hour Crisis Receiving Center Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker agreed Tuesday morning, but their approval did not come without hesitation and numerous concerns.

Linn County Health Services Administrator Todd Noble brought the issue to the board, asking for permission to use a $75,000 grant from the Intercommunity Health Network for the study.

Linn County already provides mental health crisis services during customary business hours and has a crisis van for providing services in rural areas around the clock, Noble said. A Crisis Receiving Center would provide short-term assistance at a brick and mortar facility.

It would not include beds for long-term care. Noble said there would be chairs for clients and staff would assist them rather than those same people presenting at local hospital emergency rooms for help. If the person poses a threat, they would be transported to an emergency care center.

Board Chairman Nyquist said that the proposal will not work unless the state deals with the underlying issue that there has been a “woefully inadequate” lack of mental health beds statewide for years.

“They aren’t even close,” Nyquist said. “For the last 15 years we have been saying this isn’t working and that hasn’t even been acknowledged by the state.”

Commissioner Sprenger said the issue gives her “heartburn” seeing how the state has fumbled this issue so far, but she said the county needs to “have a seat at the table” at this point.

She is also concerned this could turn into another “unfunded state mandate.”

Commissioner Tucker noted that Sheriff Michelle Duncan recognizes the need for this type of service.

“It’s a sad commentary about where we are, but it is needed,” Tucker said.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Were informed by Juvenile Director Torri Lynn that the Juvenile Department had 55 referrals last month and there are 190 young people on probation or pending court dates with 35 assessed as high-risk. The Intervention Specialist is working with 101 young people.
• Approved accepting a $125,943 grant from the Greater Albany Public Schools to provide services to young people at Jackson Street Youth Services. Chairman Nyquist abstained from this issue because he also serves on the GAPS board of education.
• Approved an easement to allow the City of Brownsville to bore underground across the Historic Moyer House property to install a major water pipe.
• Reappointed the following members of the Board of Appeals to one-year terms: Ray Hilts, David Pautsch, Amy Price and Rex Watkins.
• Approved a 10-year lease agreement for a portion of the Collision Auto Body building at 500 SW Lyon Street to be developed into the Linn County Veterans Services office. County Administrator Darrin Lane said the building will provide much needed space for individual offices to enhance client privacy.  
• Approved a wrecking license for G & R Wreckers doing business as Pick A Part.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.