Board adopts Behavioral Health Services Act integrated plan as state rules change funding categories

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors on June 16 approved the county's Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) integrated plan for 2026–2029, an updated framework required by state law that replaces the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

Susan Holt, director of Behavioral Health and Public Guardian, told the board BHSA narrows spending categories and requires new reporting and programmatic changes. "Under BHSA, 30% of that millionaires tax goes to housing for the persons who are eligible for behavioral health services," Holt said, and the reclassification limits what formerly was local discretionary spending.

Holt said the state now deducts 10% "off the top" for state-directed activities, up from 5% under MHSA, reducing locally controlled funds by an estimated $5 million next fiscal year. She also noted that the department must align reporting with the forthcoming Behavioral Health Services Outcomes and Accountability Report.

Board members pressed staff on the fiscal impacts. Supervisor Magsig noted the loss of local discretion and asked whether the county expected a net annual decrease in usable funds; Holt estimated the change would reduce local control by roughly $5 million but said total revenue projections have been volatile depending on high-income taxpayer behavior.

The plan also includes a proposed use of up to 25% of a housing-designated subset of funds for local housing development partnerships (roughly $6 million in the next fiscal year), and staff said they had engaged required stakeholders in planning.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the integrated plan and directed staff to proceed with implementation consistent with BHSA requirements.