Item L06
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: February 16.2005
Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No XX
Department: Commissioner David Rice. District 4
Staff C)ntact Person: Tamara Lundstrom
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of Resolution supporting Baker Act Reform and
supporting the efforts of the Lower Keys Medical Center to obtain state funding for its DePoo
Facility for Baker Act Services.
ITEM BACKGROUND: In 2003 the DePoo Facility recdved approximately 400 Baker Act
patients, or 57% of all such Baker Act patients in Monroe County. Sufficient funding necessary
to care for Baker Act patients has not been appropriated, jeopardizing the DePoo Facility's
ability to provide this service in the future.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Arty _ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management_
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: ft-. ~
~~commiSSiOner)
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
JAN-31-05 08,18 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE 10,3052823516
PAGE
2/3
February 2005
Commissioner Rice
RESOLUTION #
A RESOLUTION OF THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
SUPPORTING BAKER ACT REFORM AND SUPPORTING
EFFORTS BY THE LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER TO
OBTAIN FUNDING FOR ITS DEPOO FACILITY FOR BAKER
ACT SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
WHEREAS. the Baker Act a Florida Law, allows for involuntary examina1ion of persons
thought to be a danger to themselves or others for a period of up to 72 hours and
WHEREAS, mental health and law enforcement professionals have come to understand thaT
legal limitations inherent in the Baker Act lead to insufficient care of the mentally ill; and
WHEREAS, there is a tension be1ween the right of the mentially ill person to be "free" and the:
right to obtain treatment that the person may be too ill to recognize he or she needs; and
WHEREAS, Baker Act reform would allow, as 41 other states already allow, court-ordered!
involuntary commitment and outpatient treatment; and
WHEREAS, in Key West, the DePoo Facility of the Lower Keys Medical Center ("DePoo") is a.
Baker Act receiving facility; and
WHEREAS, in 2003, DePoo received approximately 400 Baker Act patients, or 57% ofal! such
Baker Act patients in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, DePoo has been lUlsuccessful in obtaining necessary fWIding to care for Baker ACl
patients in the Lower Keys, thereby jeopardizing its ability to provide this service in the future; and
WHEREAS, the Momoe County Board of County Commissioners recognizes the urgent need to
care for the mentally ill in the community, as well as the connection between mental health and
homelessness;
JAN-31-05 08,18 FROM,MONROE COUNTY ATTY OFFICE ID,3052923516
PAGE
3/3
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MONROE COUNTY, FLORID At AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1; That the Baker Act reform is hereby supported.
Section 2: That funding for the Oepoo Facility to provide full services to Baker Act patients is
hereby supponed.
Section 3: That the County Clerk is hereby authorized to transmit certified copies of this
Resolution to the Department of Children and Family Services, to the Key West City Council, City of
Key West. and to Senator Larcenia Bullard and State Representative Ken Sorensen.
Section 4: That this Resolution shall go into effect immediately upon its passage and adoption
and authentication by the signature of the presiding officer and the County Clerk.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County. Florida at a. meetimg
of said Board held on the 16th day ofFeb~. A.D., 2005.
Mayor Dixie M. Spehar
Mayor Pro Tern Charles .'Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner David P. Rice
Commissioner Murray E. Nelson
(SEAL)
Attest DANNY L KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
By
Deputy Clerk
Mayor/Chairman