Mental Health Agency Staffers Criticize Fees

Twenty-seven staffers at the Tri-Cities Mental Health Authority have signed a letter expressing concern over $90-per-hour fees paid to a management consultant when the financially strapped clinic is considering slashing mental health programs.

“These expenditures lead us to wonder whether you have complete and accurate information regarding actual services provided and the billing for same,” the letter said.

The agency serves La Verne, Pomona and Claremont and has been without a director since last fall. Its $1.8-million budget is funded by the state and the three cities. Facing a $300,000 deficit, the agency is considering dropping its program for the mentally ill homeless, consolidating its crisis intervention unit and cutting employee benefits.

The letter referred to payments to consultant Nicholas T. Conway and Hughes, Heiss & Associates, a Pasadena firm. Conway could not be reached for comment. But Martin Lomeli, La Verne’s city manager and interim executive director of Tri-Cities, called the letter unfounded.