County Budget Increases Mental Health Funds
Ventura County supervisors on Tuesday approved a $1.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2006-2007 that includes funds to increase capacity at a county mental illness treatment center, the Ventura County Star reports.
Supervisors approved the addition of 15 beds to the residential treatment facility. The center currently operates with 45 beds but has the capacity for 70 beds.
The budget increases the county's reserves to $60 million.
County Executive Officer Johnny Johnston on Monday urged restraint on new spending, saying that money must be set aside for unexpected costs, as well as long-range expenses, including the seismic retrofit of the county hospital (Wilson, Ventura County Star, 6/13).