SIMS CONSIDERS CLOSING CEDAR HILLS REHAB CENTER

County Subsidizes Maple Valley Drug, Alcohol Treatment

County Executive Ron Sims will delay for at least a week a decision on the
fate of a county-run drug and alcohol treatment center in Maple Valley.

Sims was expected to send a letter to the King County Council yesterday
outlining his plans for Cedar Hills Alcohol Treatment facility. But he has
asked for more information after seeing a draft of the letter.

"He was not ready yet to make a final recommendation," said Elaine Kraft,
Sims' spokeswoman. She declined to say what his questions were.

Closure of the facility, however, remains an option, she said.

With 142 beds under contract with the state, Cedar Hills is the largest
provider of alcohol and drug treatment for indigent patients in the county.

The director of the county department that operates Cedar Hills had
indicated the idea was to stop admitting long-term patients in December,
then close the facility in June.

The county offers the treatment services under a contract with the state.
The state reimbursement does not cover the full cost of care, and it's
unlikely the state will increase those rates.

The county is facing its own tight budget and the reduction of about $5.6
million in human services programs.

The cost to operate Cedar Hills next year is estimated at about $5.4
million. About $2.2 million of that would come from the county's daily budget.