Supervisors approve Behavioral Health building purchase, future rennovations

OROVILLE — Butte County Behavioral Health is looking to the future of its programs with the purchase of the former Feather River Recreation and Parks District building in Oroville.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $3,690,000 acquisition during Tuesday’s meeting after a presentation by General Services Director Mike Hodson.

“Negotiations for this began in October of 2022 following direction from the board,” Hodson said. “In May, General Services received an appraisal and in July we entered a purchase agreement with the district although we were not required to do so. In November of last year, Director (Scott) Kennelly presented the proposed project to the city of Oroville’s Planning Commission approved it, and we have since completed environmental reviews with (the National Environmental Policy Act) and (the California Environmental Quality Act).”

The building is roughly 40,000 square feet and is expected to create a centralized hub for Behavioral Health Services in Oroville. According to the related staff report, there are currently six programs leasing multiple buildings throughout Oroville and the long-term goal is to colocate them into one setting at 1875 Feather River Blvd. Hodson said this will save Behavioral Health about $500,000 a year in lease costs.

All funding for the purchase and renovations comes from the Community Development Block Grant. Deputy Administrative Officer Katie Simmons said the money is residual from the Camp Fire.

“The 2028 Action Plan allocated a number of federal funds to Butte County,” Simmons said. “Part of the allocation was for infrastructure. In October of 2022 we brought a number of staff recommendations to the board in a couple of different scenarios and the board did approve $33 million in facilities using CDBG infrastructure funds and so this will be fully federally funded.”

Supervisor and Chair Tod Kimmelshue asked for more information regarding the funding and, while the initial purchase and project is federally funded, the building will be the responsibility of the county for maintenance once completed.

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Hodson said the renovation of the building is set to begin in about a year and is expected to be finished by fall 2026.

The board received no public comment cards for the item.

Other business

Aside from the Behavioral Health building purchase, the board looked at the following items:

• The board unanimously approved the appointment of DeAnne Blankenship to the position of interim Public Health director following the retirement of Danette York. York will remain in the position until Oct. 31, 2024. Blankenship will receive the minimum salary of $150,709 a year starting Nov. 1 and retain her current job as the Assistant Public Health Director once a permanent hire has been made.

• The board also approved a new contract for Director of Water and Resource Conservation Kamie Loeser. Her new contract salary remains the same at $154,695 but with a 3% increase starting Oct. 11, 2025.

• Chief Administrative Officer Andy Pickett provided a brief update on Park Fire recovery.