FAYETTEVILLE -- The Northwest Arkansas Crisis Stabilization Unit is open and providing mental health services, although Washington County officials acknowledged some local governments have questions about a fee tied to the operation.
"We've had some calls, some concerns about the Northwest Arkansas CSU," County Judge Joseph Wood said during a press conference today.
Wood said mayors, police chiefs and sheriffs from the four counties served by the unit -- Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington -- were asked to a meeting to discuss the operation and particularly a $40 daily fee Washington County had proposed to offset some costs. He said Pulaski County has a $50 per day fee and Sebastian County has a $5 daily fee for the crisis units in those counties.
Wood said today the county will delay imposition of the fee until Jan. 1, 2020, to give the cities time to budget for the cost.
The state is providing money for operating costs for a pilot program of four crisis stabilization units, but not maintenance, said Brian Lester, county attorney. The other units are in Craighead, Pulaski and Sebastian counties.
Lester said he had sent the cities and counties served by the Northwest Arkansas unit an interlocal agreement and then a memorandum of understanding that included a $40 per day fee, which prompted some questions.
Steve Zega, Lincoln city attorney, advised his city not to approve the agreement until he could answer questions about the fee, the budgeting process, the oversight provided for and whether the city could end its participation. Zega sent the county a letter outlining his concerns June 19.
Kit Williams, Fayetteville's city attorney, said in a letter sent to the county today that Fayetteville needs financial data to show the justification for a fee before agreeing to it. Williams also proposed some sort of regional board should be formed to oversee the operation, similar to the Washington County Regional Ambulance Authority formed to oversee ambulance operations.
Lester said the state law authorizing the crisis stabilization units recommends a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee oversee the unit and Washington County has such a board. The 15-member coordinating committee includes representatives from Fayetteville and Springdale; circuit judges; the prosecuting attorney and public defender; all four county judges; a representative from Ozark Guidance Center, which provides the mental health services for the unit; a community representative; and a justice of the peace.
NW News on 07/19/2019