Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – One of the first recommendations of the Massey Commission is closer than it was to becoming reality.

The Sangamon County Board on Tuesday approved putting a referendum on the March primary ballot asking voters about funding a mental health board and the funding it, in turn, gives out.

It would be through a very modest county sales tax increase.

“The majority of our funds go out into our communities and meet the needs.  A minimal amount of our funds will be used for administrative oversight as well as management.  The referendum is an increase in county sales tax not including groceries by 0.50%,” said County Board member Gina Lathan (D-District 22).

In other words, Latham says, 50 cents would be added to a $100 purchase in order to fund mental health services — services, she says, would be available to a number of populations who didn’t have them before — like the Sangamon County Jail population.

“Once (mental health professionals) work with (inmates) while they are inside the jail, and then transition their services to…intensive case management and other services outside of the jail, that’s cost savings,” said Lathan.  “We’re working with them initially in intensive services, then working with them to be more independent.”

County Board member James Schackmann says he doesn’t want to put more tax strain on someone, like his daughter, a homeowner.  But, when it comes to the funding of mental health services in the county, he can’t say “no” — especially, he says, since through the various county board committees he’s been on, he’s many of them lose money time and again.

“I see where we’ve hemorrhaged money in areas.  We can simply help folks come to some resolve and be healthier people, and be more productive in our own society, and be our neighbors,” said Schackmann (R-District 11).

Schackmann — who also chairs the Public Health Committee — worked with the mental health commission on the referendum question asking whether a small county sales tax increase excluding groceries would be acceptable to fund mental health services.

it was learned that the county board as a whole cannot officially endorse the referendum, but individual members can, if they so desire.  The vote to put the referendum on the ballot was unanimous, with one member absent.