NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously voted to table a request to eliminate a human services licensed alcohol and drug counseling (LADC) position Tuesday.

“I favor tabling this for more information and a workshop with Brown County Probation staff,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he was not in favor of eliminating the position.

“I have a lot of concerns with this,” he said.

Brown County Human Services Director Anne Broskoff told commissioners community-based providers are available and willing to go into jails to do assessments, offer same-day or next-day assessments and that some jail inmates use their services now.

The proposal was previously discussed at a board workshop where the board reviewed mandated and non-mandated services in the contest of ongoing budget pressure.

The board acknowledged that LADC services are valuable but the county is not required to be the only service provider and that existing community services are available to meet needs. The workshop consensus was to prioritize mandated services and reallocate resources accordingly.

After the workshop, inquires were made with impacted partners. Community-based providers expressed the capacity to manage the shift, understanding individuals have a provider choice. Adult drug court membership includes community-based, substance use disorder staff.

Brown County Jail and Brown County Probation partners expressed concerns about timely access and coordination ease they’ve come to expect when working with a county LADC.

Tabling the request came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Dave Borchert.