BRAINERD — Crow Wing County Commissioners expressed support for action in Clay County that could ultimately benefit the local area.
Community Services Director Kara Terry told commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 13, that Clay County has expressed interest in developing a psychiatric residential treatment facility.
“Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs) provide active treatment to children and young people under the age of 21 with complex mental health conditions,” Terry said. “This is an inpatient level of care in a residential facility rather than a hospital. As we know, meeting the needs of children, adolescents, and young adults with complex medical and mental health needs can be difficult, and the PRTF It helps with continuity of care.”
There are serious mental health issues across this country.
Mr. Paul Calling, Crow Wing County Commissioner
The county currently pays for the more correctional beds in Anoka County, which cost about $325 a day, Terry said. The person there has severe mental health issues and he should not be in the Anoka County facility, but there is no other place to house him. Terry said Crow Wing County could house the person if there is a facility like the one Clay County is investigating.
There are currently four psychiatric residential treatment facilities in the state, with one pending in Grand Rapids. Terry said the waiting list ranges from one to two months for younger children to three to five months for older children. Some facilities have a two-year waiting list for women and one year for men.
“So the additional PRTF facility is definitely going to be invaluable,” Terry said.
Clay County is working with a healthcare provider, Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals, who is interested in partnering with this project. Clay County, which includes Moorhead, is northwest of Brainerd and had a 2020 population of 65,318.
Terry said Clay County is considering requesting Minnesota bond funds for infrastructure to develop the facility and is seeking letters of support.
Commissioner Paul Calling, who attended from Fort Myers, Fla., said when the topic came up a few years ago, he asked why Crow Wing County couldn’t build its own facility. Mr. Koehring also asked about funding. Terry said he would provide further data on that and appeared virtually late in the meeting and pointed out that the medical aid fee is 100% paid to him.
And whether we like it or not, we are doing it…I definitely support this.
John Luebke, Crow Wing County Board Chair
During the discussion, Koehring said he was a little concerned about the matter and asked administrator Tim Hall for his opinion. Hall said there are benefits for Crow Wing County.
“I think one of the reasons we’ve avoided it was because of the risks we might have to assume,” Hall said. “So in this case, Clay County has come forward and said it will assume the risk of whether or not that facility will have positive cash flow. We are not assuming that risk. And If we have the capacity we need and someone else takes on the risk associated with putting that capacity in place, that’s a better situation for us than doing it ourselves.”
Koehring said he finds it interesting that his colleagues in county government are willing to address issues that he said county government clearly doesn’t want to address.
“We have serious mental health issues across this country,” Koering said, adding that counties are trying to figure out how to care for their residents.
“It’s really concerning, but I support this,” Koehling said.
Commissioner John Luebke said he agrees with Koehring’s opinion.
“At the end of the day, it’s the county’s responsibility to pick up the unfinished business,” Luebke said. “And whether we like it or not, we’re doing it…I definitely support this.”
Koehring, Luebke and commissioners Rosemary Franzen and Doug Fuge voted in favor of the resolution supporting Clay County.
Commissioner Steve Burrows was absent.
In other duties, the Board of Directors will:
Including notable new employees:Angela Hanneman, 911 communications officer, on duty January 29th. Departures include Highway Administration maintenance specialists Sean Syke, Tom Loveless and Scott Pagel. and Land Services Supervisor Jessica Vukelich.
Donation of $400 accepted Adam Sellheim Memorial to Crow Wing County Dive Team.
Approved gaming license application Apply to Brainerd American Legion Post No. 255 for a premises permit for St. Matthias Bar & Grill in Fort Ripley. Approved site permit for Norway Ridge Properties’ Ideal Community Service Organization. Approved an exemption permit for the Paul Bunyan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited to be held March 10 at the Green Lantern in Norkai Lake Township. Supported the Knights of Columbus Council 1491 exemption grant to be held April 14th and April 28th at All Saints Catholic Church.
Advertisement for approved bids It is used for the maintenance and management of the aggregate surface of urban roads in the second evaluation district.
Approved the detour agreement Working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the department has authorized a 25.37-mile detour off County Roads 2, 8 and 26 during culvert construction on Highway 169 south of Garrison. The project is expected to begin this year’s construction season. The state will reimburse the county $2,796.35 in road use fees. Funding will be determined based on traffic volume and length of detour.
approved
Applications for South Long Lake Community Park and Milford Mine Memorial Park Outdoor Recreation Grant Program and Milford Mine Park 2024 Recreational Trails Grant Program. The board also approved his 2024 Federal Recreation Trails Program Equipment Grant application for both parks.
Approves Minnesota Trail Assistance Program 2024-2025 grant application for county snowmobile, ski, all-terrain vehicle, and off-highway bike trail support clubs.
Agreement signed with Pequot Lakes School District By May 24, a certified representative will be appointed as the school resource officer for the district. The district will pay her $275 per day for the school resource officer position. The deputy will serve as a resource person for law enforcement procedures and information, meeting with people regarding pre-delinquent behavior, conducting investigations as needed, and identifying problems, among other duties. This position will see her spend 40 hours per week at school events or events, from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with additional hours as needed.
Signed a $248,345 grant agreement. Collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management Division for the 2023 State Homeland Security Program to equip and train the Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad. The county has nothing to pay under this agreement.
Revised food service partnership agreement Meals for inmates in prison. The proposed amendment would extend the agreement for another year and raise costs by about 2.5%, or 6 to 8 cents per meal, from February 1 to January 31, 2025.
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