YAKIMA COUNTY (KIMA)– Part of your money when you buy something in Yakima County is put into the mental health sales tax fund.
On Monday, County Commissioners decided on how they want to use them in the community.
Commissioner Kyle Curtis says they focused on gaps in youth services, homeless response, and criminal justice system.
“Every project, every program that’s moving forward is tying back to those reports and mitigating those gaps that we’re experiencing in our community so it’s very strategic,” Curtis said.
Part of their investments includes over $2.4 million into external projects over the next two years.
This includes money for a new behavioral health program at Pacific Northwest university.
“This is a definite need in our community in the fact that we’re not just growing our own here locally but actually establishing a program at the college there, it’s a nice step forward,” said Yakima County Commissioner LaDon Linde.
Funding will also go Barth Clinic and Rod’s House for projects targeting substance abuse and youth behavioral health.
But two projects did not make the cut from those who applied.
This includes the Catholic Charities project and a new homeless shelter in Toppenish.
Curtis says the reason is because of restrictions for the funds.
“Maybe the legislature didn’t have the intent of preventing new construction, but the way its worded it does prevent new construction,” Curtis said.
This tax will continue to accumulate and when the next time comes to fund projects Curtis says the approach will be the same for new projects and ones already funded.
“We want make sure that any program if it’s a successful program that its sustainable in the years to come,” Curtis said.
Curtis also told us they are working on an official resolution to pass all the funding for the projects.
He says they are aiming to have that ready by the middle of December.
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