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2011

Other Budget Issues

Last Updated: 5/22/2011
Budget Issue: Safety and Security in State Hospitals
Program: Department of Mental Health
Finding or Recommendation: Recommend that the Legislature approve the 78.0 positions but reduce funding by $1.1 million General Fund (25 percent salary savings rate) to more accurately reflect the rate at which the positions are likely to be filled in the budget year. Recommend the Legislature approve the $4.1 million for the new personal alarm system.
Further Detail

Governor's Proposal. The administration proposes an increase of $9.5 million General Fund and requests 78.0 positions to implement safety and security measures at Napa State hospital, Metropolitan State hospital, and Patton State hospital. A new personal alarm system is proposed to replace an outdated system at Napa State Hospital at a cost of $4.1 million. Additional safety measures include 78.0 positions to establish Grounds Presence Teams and Grounds Safety Teams which would supplement current patrols of secured treatment areas at a cost of $5.4 million.

Analyst's Comment.  The administration's proposal assumes that all 78.0 positions would be filled on July 1, 2011. Our analysis indicates that it would take the Department of Mental Health several months to fill all of the new positions. Therefore, the administration's proposal assumes that the positions would be filled at a faster rate than what our analysis indicates is likely to occur.

Analyst's Recommendation. We recommend that the Legislature approve the 78.0 positions but reduce funding by $1.1 million General Fund (25 percent salary savings rate) to more accurately reflect the rate at which the positions are likely to be filled in the budget year.  We recommend the Legislature approve the $4.1 million for the new personal alarm system.