The Olympian reports on a program that helps keep folks out off jail -- thus saving the county loads of $$. Funding for mental health court is not guaranteed, however:

Only offenders accused of misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors are allowed into the program, although the prosecutor's office will reduce some felony charges for those who otherwise would be eligible.

To start the court, officials needed about $38,000, mostly to pay for a coordinator for the program. Extending the program to year's end will cost an additional $10,000. Commissioners approved the increase earlier this month.

The fledgling court's funding next year remains in doubt.

District Court Judge Kip Stilz, who presides over the mental health court, said he hopes to persuade county commissioners to fund the court next year, or to take advantage of a law the Legislature passed this year that allows counties to boost the sales tax one-tenth of a percent to raise money for mental health programs.

The program would need about $80,000 next year, he said.

If this program really works, it would be a great shame if it is allowed to lapse.