CHENANGO – County reps are taking a stand against state regulations that require local taxpayers to foot the bill of jailed individuals who are sent for treatment at inpatient mental health clinics outside Chenango County.

A resolution passed by the county Board of Supervisors in September calls on the state to bear more fiscal responsibility when it comes to treating incarcerated individuals for mental health at inpatient treatment facilities.

The resolution stems from criminal, corrections, and mental hygiene laws that mandate evaluations if incarcerated or institutionalized individuals for mental health competencies. These mandated evaluations sometimes lead to a jailed individual being placed in a non-county residential treatment facility, often operated by the State of New York.

Because costs for placement in one of these facilities can amount to as much as $15,000 per month or more for several months, local officials argue it puts an unfair burden on county taxpayers.

“These individuals can’t just go to a regular psychiatric center. They have to go to a psychiatric center where there's a specialized unit, and that can be expensive,” explained Ruth Roberts, Director of Chenango County Behavioral Health Services. “We don’t believe the state should continue to pass this financial burden on to the county.”