August QC recap: Pulaski County Quorum Court unanimously votes ‘yes’ to Crisis Stabilization Unit
PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. (August 24, 2023)– The Pulaski County Quorum court met Tuesday night to approve the continued funding of the Pulaski County Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit to ensure that residents are able to access the mental and behavioral health care they desperately need.
Faced with further budget cuts to the state funded Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), operated in partnership with UAMS and Pulaski County since 2017, Justices of the Peace made the unanimous decision to continue funding the CSU. With this vote, the court hopes to encourage the state government to reconsider further budget cuts.
The CSU provides vital community-based mental health services for the entire Central Arkansas Region. The unit handles 2,100 referrals for assistance per year and serves as an alternative to costly emergency department visits and incarceration for those in acute mental distress. Pulaski County is committed to addressing mental and behavioral health issues within our communities and looks forward to its continued partnership with the dedicated staff at UAMS and the state in order to provide these meaningful services.
The Quorum Court, in an 11-3 vote, adopted an ordinance to establish the monthly residential sanitation and recycling rate to $29.69. The $4.67 increase ensures that collection and recycling services can continue without interruption and that further increases will not be necessary for at least the next four to five years. The new rate will go into effect on November 1, 2023.
Other business included:
- Approved: A resolution to reappoint Patrick Henry Hays to the Pulaski County Planning Board until 2027
- Approved: An ordinance amending the 2023 annual budget to appropriate grant-in-aid funds of $31,167 to the Juvenile Detention Department for the purchasing of supplies, clothing, etc.
- Approved: An ordinance amending the 2023 annual budget to transfer unspent personnel funds of $1,327,481 from the regional detention facility fund to the detention medical department fund.
- Approved: A grant renewal for $5,000 allowing the detention center and the juvenile detention center to enhance the food.
