Legislature Increases Mental Health Services Funding for 2027

By Holly Crocco

Two items that are budget-related were acted upon during the Oct. 6 meeting of the full County Legislature – just one day after the county executive presented his proposed 2027 spending plan.

Legislator Nancy Montgomery, D-Philipstown, put forth a motion to dedicate even more funds for mental health services than have been included in the proposed 2027 budget.

She said the legislators received a “letter of necessity” earlier that day from the county executive to allocate $672,000 of the $2.1 million set aside for mental health services, with a plan to – in part – create a mental health diversion program for dispatchers and a strengthened network of support for first responders and law enforcement.

Montgomery proposed an additional $380,152 for the expansion of the mobile crisis center operated by People USA, which she asked be acted upon immediately since the Rose House in Philipstown recently closed.

“Mobile crisis is different than the other proposals because it’s already an existing mental health service with an existing provider, and an established program and established contracts,” she said. “The program itself expands staffing, hours, clinical capacity, psychiatric prescribers, support, and follow up services.”

In addition, she said the county has discussed the importance of providing these services ad nauseum, so it’s not a new concept.

“There’s a particular urgency for this funding,” she said. “This is precisely the kind of community-based crisis response and stabilization service we have repeatedly discussed in committee.”

He colleague unanimously approved the funding.

A local law to amend the county charter in relation to the vote required to override certain budget vetoes will be put before residents as a public referendum next year.

Currently, the county executive prepares a budget, and the Legislature has a month to make changes to allocations and distributions. The county executive can then veto those adjustments. The change being proposed would allow the Legislature to override the administration’s veto by a simple majority of five, as opposed to a supermajority of six – but only if the lawmakers are decreasing or eliminating a line item.

It does not apply to additions in the budget, or any other votes taken.

“It’s only in the narrow circumstance if we decrease or eliminate a line item, and that gets vetoed by the county executive, we could override it with a simple majority,” said Legislature Chairman Dan Birmingham, R-Southeast. “This is an effort of this Legislature to keep a lid on spending.”

Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, said the measure sets the right standard for budget decisions and increases accountability, and emphasized that an increase in spending will still need a supermajority.

“That distinction matters,” she said. “If we’re going to spend more and ask more of taxpayers, that decision should face a higher level of scrutiny. At the same time, the Legislature should have a practical way to reduce the level of spending.”

Legislator Jake D’Angelo, R-Carmel, said that even if lawmakers don’t fully embrace the idea, he likes leaving it up to the voters. “The best of this is it’s going on the ballot and the people of Putnam County get to decide whether they agree with it,” he said.

Legislator Bill Gouldman, R-Putnam Valley, was the lone dissenting vote. He said the law has been in effect for 49 years and there’s never been an issue.