County commissioners this week unanimously voted to end the county’s involvement with the Clay Platte Ray Mental Health Board to pave the way for establishment of its own mental health board.
“This is an important first step to improving and expanding mental health services for Platte County residents and we expect that this action will actually result in increased funding for mental health services in Platte County,” said Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker. “This action will also pave the way for the formation of the Platte County Mental Health Board which will oversee approximately $3 million annually in Platte County property tax revenue earmarked for mental health services in Platte County.”
Established by a public vote in 1980, since its formation in 1981 the CPR board has supported comprehensive mental health services throughout the tri-county area. The three counties passed a levy of 10 cents per $100 assessed valuation to help purchase services from existing community mental health centers. Services funded through CPR include Synergy Services, Beacon Mental Health and the Platte County juvenile and treatment court system as well as detention center services.
“We believe in the work that is being done by CPR to provide mental health services over the three-county area, but we are concerned that our community is not receiving its fair share of that support,” said Allyson Berberich, first district commissioner. “This decision ensures greater local control, accountability, transparency, and efficient use of over $3 million annually in Platte County tax dollars dedicated to mental health services.”
According to commissioners, there are persistent issues with CPR’s oversight and administration, which to them has raised concerns about the value of the partnership for Platte County residents.
Key deficiencies include:
Lack of Local Control: With only two seats on CPR’s nine-member board, Platte County has limited influence over how its tax dollars are allocated and managed.
Lack of Transparency: For eight months, Fricker sought documentation to confirm that Platte County funds were being used for Platte County residents. After initial resistance from CPR staff, rudimentary reporting provided by CPR revealed that Platte County tax dollars have been subsidizing services in Clay and Ray counties.
No Program Evaluation: CPR lacks meaningful assessments of program effectiveness, leaving taxpayers without assurance that funds are achieving intended outcomes.
Absence of Financial Audits: Despite managing a $10 million annual budget, CPR, a publicly funded nonprofit, does not conduct financial audits, undermining fiscal responsibility.
According to a press release issued by the county, the discovery of these shortcomings led the commission to take this action to withdraw from CPR and redirect its $3 million annual mental health budget to a to-be-formed Platte County Mental Health Board.
This new entity will prioritize transparency, financial oversight, and services tailored to the needs of Platte County residents.
“By establishing a dedicated board, Platte County will ensure its tax dollars are used effectively to deliver high-quality mental health services to our community,” the release states.