The Select Budget Committee voted to move oversight and funding for LEAD and co-LEAD contracts — a package Noble described as roughly $23,000,000 — from the Human Services Department (HSD) to the CARE department and to add a senior planner position for oversight. The amendment, Care 003B1, passed the committee 8–1 on Nov. 14.

Director Ben Noble summarized the technical change as a reallocation of contracts and one position: "This item proposes to shift funding and oversight of the lead contracts from HSD to CARE. It's a total of $23,000,000," he said. Councilmember Kettle, sponsor of the amendment, argued the transfer reflects the city's move toward alternative response models and better aligns contract oversight with the department that operates the responders. "This is about gaining alignment," Kettle said.

Opponents raised concerns about CARE's near-term capacity to absorb large contracting and operational responsibilities while also standing up increased 9-1-1 call-taking and sole-dispatch functions. Councilmember Rivera, who supports alternative response in principle, said she was "concerned about its ability to manage all of these contracts given they are now moving to this sole source dispatch piece," and voted no.

The roll call recorded eight votes in favor and one opposed. The amendment will be attached to the council's budget adoption ordinance, and council and central staff said they will monitor implementation and capacity as the department expands alternative-response operations.

Vote tally: Care 003B1 passed 8 in favor, 1 opposed (roll call recorded in the committee minutes).