[{"_1":2,"_117":-5,"_118":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,85,95,105],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6085384,"mediaKeyId","2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b","parentId",2903741,"title","East Central MHDS region to cease June 30 as state shifts to statewide behavioral health model","audioSeconds",2488,"startMs",2488000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b&start=2488&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b/thumbnail_2488000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085384/Benton-County/Iowa/East-Central-MHDS-region-to-cease-June-30-as-state-shifts-to-statewide-behavioral-health-model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085384-cb84a48ae7899b3caf698fdc8f8f6011/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951434&Signature=VkBOcbAJnEa31KzH2xFXryL7P3SPPkZw1aQIyOzYRRZr2BJt-0lxRY-gzo0CzpiBKkYr-0oFqtuzwjHQ0EeWCYq2wi5GG349DPImKaczX5e-AGvgPI6oFMCfiKFgdHkFLmVSH03EdVK~-a89kpsjAO~bUnNNskwLcVMWowbzacORSPurvUDN5B88CqwMj9so3osPQKAKWitWNIK4-uApca9D8rfOtYlMjmYi52k1fkTtEmjgBoyTXpuhiyaqOK67k1Qoy8aEe~eCoNfyycZhi23QwwUhnoS-6VjKXU8R66ZQLpLJhGSQ4vkdjwHANPfJ5xSK3AYm9yY28IMKccn1Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Benton County, Iowa","date","2025-04-09T02:47:00.337Z","article","The East Central Mental Health and Disability Services (MHDS) region will cease operating June 30 under Iowa law, a regional official told the Benton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, after the state selected a single statewide administrative services organization (ASO) to manage behavioral‑health services.

The regional director said the state selected a private nonprofit ASO that will handle behavioral health and substance‑use services statewide, and that Iowa Administrative Code 441.225C sunsets June 30, which ends the region’s authority. The region submitted a transition and closeout plan to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that estimates about $3.5–4.0 million in accruals and closeout costs for July–September and related expenses through December 31, 2025.

Why it matters: the accounting and administrative responsibilities will shift from the region to the ASO, while counties will retain some direct obligations (for example, initial payments for certain court‑ordered commitments or mental‑health advocates and sheriff transportation) and will need budget authority to “pay and chase” reimbursement from the ASO.

Regional staff said they will support a multi‑month closeout period (July 1–Dec. 31) to process FY25 bills and reconciliations. The plan includes keeping a small number of finance staff through the closeout period, funding for professional liability and fiscal‑agency charges, and a modest retention incentive for staff who remain to finish mandatory work. Staff well‑being support (up to five mental‑wellness sessions per staff member with a licensed counselor) and job‑search assistance were presented as part of the personnel transition plan.

Regional staff also described the separate competitive processes the state used: one RFP for the ASO (behavioral health) and a different selection for the disability access point. Benton County will belong to District 6 under the new map; Central Iowa Community Services (CICS) was awarded several disability districts including District 6, meaning counties now assigned to CICS will become part of a larger 44‑county configuration for disability access services.

Officials emphasized that the change does not eliminate state appropriations for services: the dollars described as moving from $28 million to about $3–4 million instead reflect a change in who administers payments and what the region will fund after July 1, not a disappearance of service funding. The region expects to retain responsibility for a small set of short‑term direct payments (a modest list of services capped around 90 days) and for service coordination as a disability access point, but most behavioral‑health provider claims and ongoing payments will go through the ASO.

County implications described by staff included: possible changes to how sheriffs, court‑appointed attorneys and mental‑health advocates submit and receive payment; potential new reporting and documentation requirements from the ASO; a likely reduction in in‑county physical presence of access staff because available disability access funding is smaller and allocated differently; and ongoing work to inventory and transfer property (vehicles, computers and furniture) that the region purchased on behalf of counties.

Regional staff said they had submitted their closeout budget and were awaiting final approval from HHS. The board and staff discussed the timing of contracts, the need for counties to budget at least for an initial quarter of certain costs, and the possibility that existing local crisis hubs and other programs may not be funded at the same level by the ASO. The regional director said the region would seek to be a transition partner and to communicate regularly with counties as the ASO and HHS finalize operational details.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/08/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The East Central MHDS region will cease operations June 30 after the state selected a statewide administrative services organization for behavioral‑health services, regional officials told the Benton County Board of Supervisors.","taxTitle","taxId",45756,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":78,"_47":79,"_49":80,"_51":81,"_53":82,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":83,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":84,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085364,"Board awards multi‑jurisdictional hazard‑mitigation plan contract to local consultant",0,7222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b&start=7222&end=7222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b/thumbnail_7222000.jpg","/articles/6085364/Benton-County/Iowa/Board-awards-multijurisdictional-hazardmitigation-plan-contract-to-local-consultant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085364-5b6975a00f9311fe15a85c3b7739f8a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951434&Signature=HyvX3KwTUeFjPRHTvM21cz4~XCoFsdbE-a9PRr9dZaprVoAS4uw3cIQnUr3jUJvlcW68yAFIdwWRXH4ZPFzGsX52dyoEEsCoiqBOlKQjXPMYjJZ8mucDyly36rO-IX-v1~RgMyzfd3mBnCnfLLDukqJqGLK0Y9Yc4PXlzDOOsl~V-~eWC0hjq6FdH19FAdXRPcXg3X9gkmKf4NeAxKa0kTL5vZOpBecUSTXfrEeD8iljTO8sbiCs9IUQwi056lTBdShGTEMD8LgGcJFWmSuwmGfhl7feXI~MhP2CdhovxDXHcbtBBrs23WsXIywV8theUdvBv0l4sXoEfFTeBvSpKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board awarded the multi‑jurisdictional hazard‑mitigation plan update to Emergency Planning and Consulting LLC (consultant Robin Reese) for $16,642, after reviewing several quotes. County staff said Reese provided local references and the lowest overall price, though the scope requires some county staff to supply current data layers and building inventories.

Staff explained the contract is a routine five‑year update that uses county GIS and assessor data; supervisors discussed the tradeoff between a lower contractor price and the county staff time needed to supply up‑to‑date local information. The board authorized the contract and noted budget lines can be adjusted in next year’s budget if necessary.","Supervisors selected Emergency Planning and Consulting LLC (Robin Reese) to update Benton County’s multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan for $16,642, citing local references and lower cost compared with other bidders.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":77,"_43":88,"_45":88,"_47":89,"_49":90,"_51":91,"_53":92,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":93,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":94,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085369,"Board sets dust‑control fee at $1,550 for first 400 feet; additional $2.60 per foot",2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b&start=2080&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b/thumbnail_2080000.jpg","/articles/6085369/Benton-County/Iowa/Board-sets-dustcontrol-fee-at-1550-for-first-400-feet-additional-260-per-foot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085369-38a8f8c68372c27863c75801268c2b4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951434&Signature=PoYCrDUWPaiF2wGbwmZQiIuBnpB0avXLqjSA9jkZ-Ygf-M9ZhJw6CUVM-SzJbXiUTs5VD2V9T6hZZfFwY49WG5EQyztr39IWBh6faJZ7XSfVhd22O3rcfSeROjhvFBJFHThInK4Ks8q9KU6zQs0AtL-I8-FRkA6l89uU--cKke95cS0zkhy4UDSzwOtQZDlDWujbVW-fAkKbpDEP8KxqdlEOLzFxda1ou~AVWAz6-wKTJDFkgeDuvXNLZtKOo~G39gI~s-f5x9mVZZE7gpbXiPcPZDRiGgd3eVe1TSCPQPUMiJb2Sz3FWrdH~TjzvB-UOO04c9vS~aAwpgiP006sOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board approved a new fee schedule for Benton County’s dust‑control program: $1,550 to treat the first 400 feet of driveway/roadfront and $2.60 per additional foot. Supervisors set the application window to begin April 14 and run through May 2, with staff allowed a discretionary extra week for administrative processing.

County engineers explained the program uses an asphalt‑distributor truck and limestone chips applied in two passes; the truck is specialized equipment and staff noted its age and ongoing maintenance considerations. The county positioned the price as a breakeven cost that accounts for labor, equipment, material and administrative overhead. Board members said they would review the program as equipment ages and could revisit the service if replacement costs rise.

The motion passed unanimously.","Supervisors approved a price increase for the county dust‑control program: $1,550 for the first 400 feet and $2.60 per additional foot; the application window was set for mid‑April through early May and county staff said the program remains breakeven and uses aging specialized equipment.",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":77,"_43":98,"_45":98,"_47":99,"_49":100,"_51":101,"_53":102,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":103,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":104,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085374,"Benton County agrees to collect fines for Floyd County under contract; officials expect modest revenue increase",1642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b&start=1642&end=1642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b/thumbnail_1642000.jpg","/articles/6085374/Benton-County/Iowa/Benton-County-agrees-to-collect-fines-for-Floyd-County-under-contract-officials-expect-modest-revenue-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085374-82408a2713adda87b613a36da6b0c7cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951434&Signature=NpaQdO4DG6jk6E6LOr2SL8kskHSfTC62oKXFFXc70RxXagvPn2F~-dNcDtNS~D~qreJ8BTHCrvuLru2hsDFtFbmzowhluUwq6K8Yp0TjywrctdgJwSaZ2tHW0AAWrS00emZY7CHZ-djJYQWJjPwtl1UbTjDd21kI8JHLOPIcjXgl6dHVk6ask4As3SmJJbC~usewfIpPDqIoKMi94IfW5TwvlNy9rj7kVphtu7VKO6xb~RtqWgSgp3ZA3pa36IDWvXpmFr9GSJ8wcyohMkFAZpoFYfG5O67xllxq1U7OMlFI52WLqI99e~Qm-yx~SUVmhzXXSRckIvpm~Py9~HRkyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board approved a contract for Benton County to begin collections work for Floyd County and other jurisdictions, adding what county staff estimated to be a roughly 5–7% increase in workload for the collections office.

Collections staff said Floyd County’s population is about 15,600 and that the existing systems are already in place, easing the workload for Benton County. The county projected initial revenue of $22,000–$25,000 in the first calendar year and estimated that effective collection techniques such as garnishments and wage assignments would produce sustained revenue.

Staff explained the state’s threshold rules that govern collection contracts: the county must meet a $50,000 annual threshold in collections or the state retains the contract; the state initially retains 72% and returns 28% of threshold collections to collecting counties, and that split narrows to a higher county share (an additional 5% to the county) once the $50,000 threshold is met. Under the inter‑county contract, Benton County will split its share 50/50 with the contracting county (Floyd), so the county’s immediate share of the first $50,000 would be about 14% of receipts under current rules, rising after the threshold is reached.

The board approved resolution 25‑23 to accept the Floyd County contract; supervisors praised the collections office for its recent performance, noting a prior year gross collection of about $397,000 and current year momentum. Members asked whether the contract would increase departmental costs; staff said existing processes and a focus on garnishments meant minimal added expense and that the collections office expects to handle the account with existing staff.

","Supervisors approved a collections contract with Floyd County (resolution 25‑23), taking on delinquent fine collection duties; county staff projected an initial 5–7% workload increase and forecast $22,000–$25,000 in revenue for the first year with potential growth.",{"_33":106,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":107,"_41":108,"_43":109,"_45":110,"_47":111,"_49":112,"_51":113,"_53":114,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":115,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":116,"_67":56,"_68":69,"_70":56,"_71":72,"_73":72},6085379,"Benton County votes to hire law‑enforcement liaison as county employee after regional funding ends",749,863000,1612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b&start=863&end=1612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903741-38d2f520d2ff73926fda69834ff4ea9b/thumbnail_863000.jpg","/articles/6085379/Benton-County/Iowa/Benton-County-votes-to-hire-lawenforcement-liaison-as-county-employee-after-regional-funding-ends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085379-3b52e2da96e5ea60c05968172c3c0a0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770951434&Signature=AzDARtMM3l4bWLcdw93s2yskZouLkDZSBhkPSaBpNkKExLEBba5pv80U0I2y18O~8cu0NlgZ-~9QeP0fP7xwqv38S5AZCemjTBs11uIz4PRQjd8Zl5eldjR2E5CN8KNPrZc-HC8Bn5kaNhuWXS4uQBE~iEkPBE5QLR0ZKM01U~OlHPcz0lyZOqPgflhQ6HGozWcSKE0NImmt~1HfDvu0dYVH1ZA4noS~Gyk6V0lLj~NyxLYsn9RwRPtY3LA4TF-Ua0uRige31m4WVv-nEAYVAsaFPwhSWDegLl3-ZXQ-ilOovzkRTkQbm~HO02CLn2dJD7TVqy7VsI27iJpHX9OgNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benton County supervisors approved resolution 25‑22 to hire an in‑house law‑enforcement liaison, approving the position as a county employee and preserving the role after regional grant funding ends.

County and sheriff’s office speakers described the liaison’s duties: the liaison responds to law‑enforcement calls when mental‑health or substance‑use issues are identified, coordinates follow‑up care and helps arrange court or protective actions when needed. The sheriff and other supervisors said the position has reduced unnecessary arrests and emergency‑room visits by connecting people in crisis to services.

County staff identified the candidate selected from several applicants as Shelby Chuckle and said she would be employed by the county effective April 8. The county described the position’s annual cost as $72,000 plus full benefits; officials said the cost will be offset in part by contributions from local governments — Vinton anticipated paying about $10,800 annually, Belle Plaine a smaller amount and Urbana a population‑based share — and that some funding formerly routed through a regional contractor (Foundation 2) will end as the region’s role changes.

Speakers addressed public concern over taxpayer cost. A member of the public asked why the county would pay for a position that previously was funded through a regional contract; county and regional staff said state and regional restructuring reduced external funding for the position and that the county had previously paid roughly half of the position’s cost through regional arrangements. Officials said shifting the hire in‑house preserves local continuity of services and avoids pauses in coverage.

Supervisors voted to adopt resolution 25‑22. The board indicated the county attorney’s office will finalize agreements with participating cities and that staff will pursue reimbursements or cost‑sharing agreements where possible.

","Supervisors approved resolution 25‑22 to bring the county's law‑enforcement liaison on payroll, making the position a county employee with a $72,000 salary and benefits; the board and public discussed funding changes as regional grants and partner contributions shift.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

East Central MHDS region to cease June 30 as state shifts to statewide behavioral health model

Board awards multi‑jurisdictional hazard‑mitigation plan contract to local consultant

Board sets dust‑control fee at $1,550 for first 400 feet; additional $2.60 per foot

Benton County agrees to collect fines for Floyd County under contract; officials expect modest revenue increase

Benton County votes to hire law‑enforcement liaison as county employee after regional funding ends