As others have in the current economic climate, Mental Health Partners and Western Piedmont Community College asked county commissioners on Tuesday for more money.
John Hardy, area director of Mental Health Partners, is requesting $276,410 from the county. The county's draft budget proposes giving Mental Health Partners $151,410.
Some of the increase would pay for a psychiatric nurse position for Catawba Valley Behavioral Health, a mental health provider with an office on the campus of Grace Hospital. Part of Hardy's requested increase would be for inpatient indigent care, client emergency assistance and guardianship. He said client emergency assistance has covered everything from food and transportation to temporary housing and clothing.
Hardy said with the bad economy, there has been an increase in the demand for mental health services, and the demand from Burke County residents has been significant.
Hardy assured commissioners that everything Burke gives Mental Health Partners is spent in the county. He uses Burke funds to pay for care the state won't pay for, such as overtime for law enforcement officers who sit in hospitals with an involuntary commitment patient.
Commissioner Steve Smith asked Hardy if something is being considered to solve the issue of deputies having to sit with patients for hours and even days.
Hardy said there is a need to have a facility locally that could triage mental health patients. He's been in talks with Grace Hospital for a crisis care unit in conjunction with the emergency room. He said it would serve as a type of observation holding place with two or three beds or reclining chairs where a psychiatric patient's needs can be determined.
Jerry Davis, vice president of marketing and public relations for Blue Ridge HealthCare, said the idea is still in the exploratory stage. Blue Ridge is looking at the concept, Davis said, and if it is implemented it would be in late summer or early fall.
But the ideal situation would be a triage unit at Broughton Hospital, Hardy said, that would serve the region. He said a 15-bed unit would take care of the need.
Commissioners on Tuesday also heard from Malone McNeely, executive vice president and chief financial officer of WPCC, requesting additional money in next year's budget to pave the gravel parking lot nearest the tennis courts and install lighting and curbing.
The preliminary cost estimates for the work is $268,060, according to information from the college.
McNeely said the college is expecting between 150 to 200 additional vehicles on the campus in the fall.
The college requested a total budget from the county of a little more than $2.5 million. The county's draft budget recommends the college get a little more than $2.1 million.
The Burke County Board of Commissioners will hold its next budget work session at 5 p.m. Thursday.
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Mental health, community college reps present budget needs
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Morganton News Herald
Published: May 26, 2010
Published: May 26, 2010
MORGANTON --
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