COUNTY OKS SERVICES MERGER.

Byline: David Greenberg Daily News Staff Writer

Ignoring a consultant`s recommendation to delay by up to 90 days a merger of the county's Behavioral Health Department with the Public Social Services Agency, the Board of Supervisors opted Tuesday to begin creation of the $171 million conglomerate.

``This whole thing has been blown out of . . . proportion,'' said Supervisor John Flynn, referring to critics' charges that a merger will reduce the quality of services. ``We're moving in the direction of strengthening the safety net.''

Los Angeles consultant David Henninger, in a May 13 memo to the board, urged delay of the merger until county officials had assurances that the new Human Services Agency - comprised of both offices - would comply with state licensing and Medicare requirements.

He estimated that the county would have to spend $11 million to $15 million for a separate mental health services license if the state refuses to transfer the existing one from the Ventura County Medical Center to the Human Services Agency.

``I'm used to getting all the facts and then making a decision,'' said Supervisor Frank Schillo, who opposes the merger. ``We're making a decision and then we'll find out if it works. The decision is made without any forethought or public input.''

The county receives as much as $15 million annually in state and federal funding based on the hospital's patient caseloads.

With the 3-2 vote - Supervisor Judy Mikels also dissented - the board additionally directed Chief Administrative Officer Lin Koester to spend one day a week overseeing the merger.

Schillo predicted the move would have an adverse effect on the county.

``(Koester's) in a difficult position,'' Schillo said. ``If you make the assumption that he's working hard and now he has to subtract eight hours a week from what he's doing, we only get four days out of him. Something else in the county is going to have to suffer.''

Koester is scheduled to present supervisors with a status report on the merger within 90 days.

But Supervisor Susan Lacey, regarded as one of the merger's architects along with Supervisors Kathy Long and Flynn, reiterated that their claims are no basis for concern.

The supporting lawmakers believe that the plan will provide a more coordinated effort to provide job training, welfare and other benefits to the Behavioral Health Department's 7,000 mental health and 6,000 substance abuse patients.

Many of the county's psychiatrists oppose the merger because they believe the consolidation will reduce the quality of services because social services, not doctors, will be able to dictate how patients are treated.