Mental health board to take stand on half-cent sales tax

July 07--The Shasta County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board has agreed to take a position on Redding's proposed half-cent sales tax, but not until members have done their research.

In a board meeting Wednesday evening at Northern Valley Catholic Social Service, board chairman Steve Smith said the sales tax presented an "interesting opportunity" for the mental health population.

"I know that tax increases aren't popular, but this is something that has some meat to it," Smith said. "This is the mental health, alcohol and drug board, and we try to keep those items on the board."

The tax, which is set for the November ballot, is part of the city and county's public safety plan. It's expected to generate $11 million a year, of which a one-time payment of $375,000 would go toward a sobering center, a place where law enforcement would drop off an intoxicated person, and allow them to sober up overnight.

Another $1 million will go toward a mental health crisis stabilization unit and be matched with funds each year through the county's mental health program.

Board member Sam Major said the one-time payment of $375,000 for the sobering center could be leveraged with federal grants, and help generate more money for mental health services.

"I just think as a board member, it's kind of a no-brainer for me, personally," Major said.

The majority of the funds generated through the tax would go toward hiring more law enforcement officers, firefighters, and building more jail space.

But there was some disagreement to taking a stand on the tax. Board member Kari Hess argued that taking a stand as a board, and going public with that decision, was unfitting.

"I think it's inappropriate for the board to make recommendations one way or the other," Hess said. "Just as a public board, I don't know, it just doesn't feel right."

Leon Polk, another board member, said he recalled his ethics training and said even though they're not elected members, they still must take a stand on the tax. "We're advocates, not just for us, but the public at large," Polk said. "That's why I'm going to support it."

The board will meet again in September.

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