Three western Iowa counties are exploring new ways to coordinate mental health services after a series of disagreements. Plymouth, Sioux and Woodbury counties have shared a state-mandated community mental health system called Sioux Rivers since 2014. Woodbury officials decided last year to leave Sioux Rivers. Board of Supervisors Chair Rocky De Witt says the county didn’t always agree with the votes taken by the regional board.
They’re on track to join a region with Sac and Ida counties next July. Plymouth and Sioux would need to bring one county in to replace Woodbury and keep Sioux Rivers running, but at a meeting last week, Plymouth officials drafted a letter asking to join a nearby region that includes Dickinson and Lyon counties. Plymouth Board of Supervisors Chair Don Kass says he feels confident in the change after the falling out in Sioux Rivers.
Under the current model, Woodbury County pays about 63-percent of the cost services, but uses about 73-percent of resources. If Sioux Rivers is dissolved, the counties would have to sell the center and distribute the proceeds.
