Agenda Item #13.8
For Council Meeting of: July 14, 2026
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JOHN CREGAN, CHIEF OF POLICE
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE, APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT, AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF SONOMA MEASURE O SALES TAX REVENUE FOR THE INRESPONSE MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAM AGENDA ACTION: MOTION
RECOMMENDATION
The Police Department recommends that the Council, by resolution: 1) accept funding from the County of Sonoma in the amount of $4,600,000 to support the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team operations over the next three years; 2) approve and delegate authority to the City Manager to execute an agreement with the County and any related documents required to receive the funds; and 3) appropriate $4,600,000 County Measure O Sales Tax revenue. This item is requesting appropriations for one-time funding.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Police Department requires approval to receive funding from the County of Sonoma Measure O Sales Tax revenue to support the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team in the amount of $4,600,000 over the next three years.
GOAL
This item relates to Council Goal #1 - Achieve and Maintain Budgeting Excellence and Fiscal Stability by providing additional funding from County taxes.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR COUNCIL REVIEW
During the November 2020 election, voters in Sonoma County approved County Measure O, ensuring a steady and reliable source of funding to address mental health and homelessness that will expand needed services for the next 10 years.
In Fiscal Year 2022/2023 the City received the first year of funding from Sonoma County Measure O in the amount of $84,387 which assisted the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support team in conducting bilingual outreach. In the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 the City received $514,440 to expand the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support team to include hospital navigators. In Fiscal Year 2024/2025 the City received $1,450,000, these funds were used to continue the highly successful inRESPONSE Mental Health Support team at the 24-hour model. In Fiscal Year 2025/2026 the City received $3,043,114 to continue to support the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support team.
ANALYSIS
The inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team is dedicated to responding to calls for service involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis where no weapons are present. The program’s primary objective is to ensure that calls in which mental health is the central concern are handled by specialized, non-law enforcement personnel. In addition, the inRESPONSE team collaborates closely with the City’s Homeless Outreach Services Team to proactively identify and assist unsheltered community members who may be experiencing mental health crises.
In 2025, the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team responded to 5,948 calls for service and provided 3,093 system navigation services. During this period, the team successfully diverted 4,810 calls from requiring a law enforcement response. The team responded to 1,259 calls involving unsheltered individuals and helped house 48 individuals. These services are delivered by trained, civilian, unarmed staff who specialize in deescalation techniques, social work interventions, and both physical and mental health assessments.
The team addresses a broad spectrum of community needs, including individuals in acute mental health crisis, as well as individuals and families seeking access to mental health resources and wrap-around services. These services extend to addressing challenges related to mental health, homelessness, and substance use disorders.
Continued funding will provide critical stability for the inRESPONSE program and enable the City to maintain consistent service levels over the next three years, ensuring ongoing support for vulnerable populations while reducing demands on law enforcement resources.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval will appropriate $4,600,000 in County Measure O Sales Tax revenue to support inRESPONSE operations over the next three years.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, the recommended action is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not have the potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. In the alternative, the recommended action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the recommended action may have a significant effect on the environment.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution / Exhibit A - Agreement
PRESENTER(S)
John Cregan, Chief of Police
ACCEPTANCE, APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT, AND APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF SONOMA MEASURE O SALES TAX REVENUE FOR THE INRESPONSE MOBILE CRISIS RESPONSE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TEAM PAGE 3 OF 3