General Information

Government Type

Special Service District

Entity

Wasatch Behavioral Health Services Special Service District

Public Body

Wasatch Mental Health Services Special Service District Board

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Wasatch Behavioral Health Authority Board Meeting Minutes January 27, 2026

Notice Tags

Mental Health, Substance Abuse

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

January 27, 2026 09:00 AM

Event End Date & Time

January 27, 2026 10:02 AM

Event Deadline Date & Time

01/27/26 10:02 AM

Description/Agenda

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE GOVERNING BODY OF WASATCH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT WILL HOLD A PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026, AT 9:00 A.M. WITH THE ANCHOR LOCATION FOR SAID MEETING TO BE LOCATED AT: WASATCH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WESTPARK BUILDING 750 NORTH FREEDOM BLVD., SUITE 300 PROVO, UTAH 84601 WHEN NECESSARY, BOARD MEMBERS MAY PARTICIPATE ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE ANCHOR LOCATION AS STATED ABOVE GOVERNING AUTHORITY Commissioner Skyler Beltran BOARD PRESENT: Commissioner Brandon Gordon Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner WASATCH BEHAVIORAL Randy Huntington, CEO HEALTH STAFF PRESENT: Bret Linton, CXO Brian Butler, COO Doralia Serrano, CFO Elizabeth Feil, Division Director Scott Taylor, Division Director Amy Buehler, Division Director Evan Morris, Human Resource Director Jennie Reese, Authority Board Secretary ALSO PRESENT: Brittany Thorley, Deputy County Attorney Scott Farnes, FJ and Associates Amy Hickman, Financial Services Program Manager Robert Johnson, Billing Services Program Manager CONSENT AGENDA Approval of the Minutes for December 2, 2025, Governing Body of Wasatch Behavioral Health Special Service District Authority Board Meeting. MOTION: Motion to approve the minutes made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Beltran. Motion Passed 2-0 REGULAR AGENDA 1. Presentation of FY2025 Audit Report by FJ and Associates. FJ and Associates presented the FY2025 Audit Report for Wasatch Behavioral Health. The organization received a clean audit opinion, with auditors finding that the financial statements were materially correct. The audit was conducted in accordance with applicable federal and state standards. No findings were identified related to legal compliance, and internal controls were found to be in place. 2. Approve and Authorize the Signing of an Agreement with Meadowbrook Counseling of Utah, LLC. 3. Approve and Authorize the Signing of an Agreement with Reach Counseling, LLC. 4. Approve and Authorize the Signing of an Agreement with Palisades Counseling, LLC. MOTION: Motion to approve agenda items #2, #3, and #4 made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Beltran. Motion Passed 2-0 5. Approve the Financial Report for November 2025. Doralia reported a gain of approximately $94,000 for November, noting that this level of gain is expected to continue for the remainder of the year. She highlighted an increase in accounts receivable, which is primarily due to the timing of collections from grants. Overall, financial performance is tracking as anticipated for this point in the fiscal year. MOTION: Motion to approve agenda item #5 made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Beltran. Motion Passed 2-0 9:05 a.m. Commissioner Powers Gardner joined the meeting. 6. Approve the Expenditure Report for November 2025. MOTION: Motion to approve agenda item #6 made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Powers Gardner. Motion Passed 3-0 7. Directors' Briefing/QUAPI Report a. General Agency: Randy reported on several issues emerging from the current legislative session that could significantly impact the behavioral health system statewide. A proposed $23M cut to state appropriations would reduce the ability to draw down federal matching funds, resulting in an estimated $60M loss in federal funding. These reductions would apply statewide, with WBH representing approximately 20% of Utah's behavioral health system, making the potential impact especially concerning. Randy also noted a proposed $4 million reduction to ACO Medicaid funding, with responsibility for the required match shifting from the state to the counties. Under this proposal, counties would be responsible for providing the match for Local Mental Health Authorities. Additionally, proposed budget lines 122 and 123 would result in the closure of 60 beds at the Utah State Hospital. Overall, the department has been directed to identify approximately $80M in reductions, creating significant system-wide impact. Randy reported that UBHC and UAC have been meeting with legislators to advocate against these proposed bills. Brian reported that negotiations are beginning to discuss the lease or potential purchase of the American Fork Family Clinic. b. Substance Use Disorder Division: Amy reported that 32 staff members have reached their five-year milestone, with many expressing a strong connection to WBH's mission. Being consolidated into one building has supported cohesive team integration, improved communication, and stronger coordination of patient care across programs. An example of staff dedication was shared involving a Foothill client during the Christmas season. Staff went above and beyond to create a Christmas feast, providing the client with an experience they had never previously had and fostering a sense of community. The supervisor also prepared individual gift bags for each client. These small but meaningful actions had a significant impact, contributing to increased client engagement and buying into treatment. c. Clinical and Community Services Division: Elizabeth reported on the Spravato (esketamine) clinic, noting that the program continues to operate successfully both clinically and financially. She shared that a second post-treatment monitoring room has been established, allowing treatments to be staggered and effectively doubling the number of clients served. Overall, the clinic is functioning well and meeting expectations. Elizabeth also highlighted an outreach effort at the South Provo Clinic, which hosted the Sub for Santa program. Through contributions from employees, the Provo Police Department, and United Way, Christmas support was provided to approximately 200 clients. Many of the recipients are experiencing homelessness and lack support for basic needs, making the outreach particularly impactful. d. Crisis and Intensive Services Division: Scott reported on his 20 years of participation on the Children's Justice Center advisory board and provided highlights related to Vantage Point admissions over the past several months. Admissions have included youth brought in by parents for intervention, juveniles referred by law enforcement, post-adoption interventions, and youth transitioning placements from DCFS shelters. It was noted that DCFS-referred youth typically remain in care approximately twice as long as other admissions. Scott shared several success stories, including notes left by youth expressing appreciation to staff following discharge. The program also received significant community donations to support Christmas gifts for the youth served. Vantage Point continues to play a critical role in diverting youth from hospitalizations and juvenile detention. e. Human Resources: Evan reported on efforts to adjust staffing patterns to ensure that 24/7 programs remained open during the holiday period. Human Resources ensured that appropriate administrative support was provided to those programs during that time. MOTION: Motion to strike agenda items #8, #9, and #10 made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Powers Gardner. Motion Passed 3-0 8. Approve and set a date, time, and location for a Closed Meeting to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual or individuals for today's date, at this location, following the completion of the Regular Agenda. (If this item is not moved to the Consent Agenda, announce the vote of each board member.) 9. Approve and set a date, time, and location for a Closed Meeting for a strategy session to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, water rights, or water shares, for today's date, at this location, following the completion of the Regular Agenda. (If this item is not moved to the Consent Agenda, announce the vote of each board member.) 10. Approve and set a date, time, and location for a Closed Meeting for a strategy session to discuss the sale of real property, water rights, or water shares, previously publicly noticed for sale for today's date, at this location, following the completion of the Regular Agenda. (If this item is not moved to the Consent Agenda, announce the vote of each board member.) 11. Approve and set a date, time, and location for a Closed Meeting for a strategy session to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation for today's date, at this location, following the completion of the Regular Agenda. (If this item is not moved to the Consent Agenda, announce the vote of each board member.) MOTION: Motion to approve agenda item #11 made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Powers Gardner. Motion Passed 3-0 PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments. MOTION: Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 a.m. made by Commissioner Gordon and seconded by Commissioner Powers Gardner. Motion Passed 3-0

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Jennie Reese at the phone number (801) 852-4704 or via email at Jennie Reese at the phone number (801) 852-4704 or via email at jreese@wasatch.org at least 2 business days before the meeting.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

To receive a link to join the meeting virtually, notify Jennie Reese at the phone number (801) 852-4704 or via email at jreese@wasatch.org at least 2 business days before the meeting.

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

750 North Freedom Blvd
Suite 300
Provo, UT 84601
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Contact Name

Jennie Reese

Contact Email

jreese@wasatch.org

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

March 25, 2026 11:24 AM

Notice Last Edited On

March 25, 2026 11:24 AM

Deadline Date

January 27, 2026 10:02 AM

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