By Gina Cuclis

This is a follow-up to my June 9 post.

Sonoma County Supervisors' Final Budget Vote Marks the End of Orenda Center

The Board of Supervisors today took its final vote on the County of Sonoma's 2009/2010 budget, marking the final chapter for the Orenda Center, an alcohol and other drug treatment facility operated by the County's Department of Health Services. Supervisors approved the budget 5-0, as an item on its consent calendar. The budget provides for transfering Orenda's residential and outpatient treatment services to nonprofit providers. This was the recommendation from the Health Services Director and the County's Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Drug Problems.

Lobbying Couldn't Change Votes

There was heavy lobbying the last several days from Orenda supporters, in hopes one of the three supervisors who were supporting the recommendation would change his mind. The three didn't want to dip into reserves to keep Orenda open. Information from Health Services Department staff said that if the funds, $500,000, were cut from nonprofit treatment providers instead, the overall loss of treatment services in the community would be greater. Nonprofit organizations provide treamtent services at lower costs than Orenda.


Nonprofits Came Prepared

There had been speculation that the budget vote would get pulled from the consent calendar, allowing more debate. In anticipation that they may need to protect the nonprofit providers, supporters of the nonprofits attended today's meeting carrying signs and wearing stickers saying: "Nonprofit treatment works." Before the consent calendar vote was taken, the Board Chair asked the audience if anyone wanted to comment. No one did.

No Winners

There are no winners in this. The budget situation provides no good choices. As County Health Services Director Rita Scardaci said, at the final budget hearing, "We don't want any of this."  In the end, the board majority chose the option it believes would serve the most people possible with the funds at hand.