Board of Supervisors Tues Mtg 09-15-26 · Behavioral Health Services Agenda Items

The County of Lake Board of Supervisors held a meeting on September 15, 2026, focusing on behavioral health services budget amendments and contract approvals. The board approved resolutions to amend the fiscal year 2025-26 budgets for mental health and substance use disorder services, increasing revenues and appropriations by approximately $4.86 million to enable payment releases to contractors. Additionally, the board approved a one-year contract with Traditions Behavioral Health for specialty mental health services, including locum tenens and telepsychiatry, for up to $5.4 million. This contract followed a competitive solicitation with 14 proposals and aimed to reduce contractor costs while maintaining continuity of care. The contract payment rates were negotiated to be between 35% and 50% of the Department of Health Care Services reimbursement rates, a reduction from previous contracts. Public comments highlighted preferences for in-person services and requests for multi-year contracts, but the board and staff noted the challenges of workforce stability and market dynamics in setting contract terms.