San Mateo County Board of Supervisors delays vote on Burlingame treatment center plan

County Executive Mike Callagy asked the vote to be pushed because he didn’t properly notify the city’s leaders their ability to weigh in, and out of abundance of caution. 

“I did not notify the Burlingame officials, the city manager or the council there,” Callagy said. “In all fairness to them, I think it would be best if we moved this meeting to next Tuesday, the 7th, in order to give them the time and notice required to appear before the board and get as much information from them as possible.”

Horizon Treatment Services is proposed to operate a 69-bed behavioral health treatment facility that brings sobering, detox and residential care into one space at the Burlingame property, which the county purchased in May. 

The property purchase wasn’t directly attributed to the treatment facility, although Callagy expressed the possibility, and the city of Burlingame has not been able to discuss the matter in a public meeting that allows for community input. 

The proposal to establish the facility in Burlingame was publicly discussed by councilmembers during their meeting April 20 with minimal public comment, but no formal presentation was made. 

Callagy and county staff plan to present the proposal for the treatment facility at the Mahler Road location during the Burlingame City Council meeting Monday, July 6. 

While Burlingame Mayor Michael Brownrigg appreciated Callagy for postponing the county’s action on the item, he shared his concerns during public comment on Thursday. 

“This question has been underway in San Mateo for over six months, but it will be the first time our residents and businesses will be able to comment on the record,” Brownrigg said. “That by itself should tell you there’s something messed up with the process.” 

In an interview after the meeting, Brownrigg said the last-minute effort to involve the Burlingame community in the decision feels insufficient. 

“I don’t think it suffices but it’s not up to me and apparently there’s very little that we can do to extend the process, for reasons I’m sure the county will explain on Monday,” Brownrigg said. “I don’t think it would suffice, but at least it will give everyone a chance to speak, and that’s helpful. It will give us the chance to clarify some things.” 

The county has long needed a local substance use continuum of care facility, due to the closure of a 14-bed sobering center in May 2025. 

Horizon Treatment Services was awarded a $25 million state grant in October 2025 to establish one in the county, and the grant was initially tied to a site identified at 101 N. El Camino Real in San Mateo. Now, the proposal is tied to the Burlingame site. 

Nearby San Mateo residents made it clear they didn’t want the facility near them — prompting the county to look in Burlingame — but others maintain the San Mateo location is the better option. 

Karyl Eldridge, vice chair of One San Mateo, said the San Mateo location was more optimal, from a therapeutic lens. 

“I feel the need to express my chagrin that the conversation about site selection has evolved so far away from the needs of the community members who would utilize this treatment center in an effort to reclaim their lives,” Eldridge said at the board meeting Thursday. 

However, the treatment facility is proposed at the Burlingame property, and must move along to maintain the state grant funding. 

Brownrigg acknowledged the need for the facility and the good work Horizon does, but his frustrations remain on how the matter has come to fruition. 

“I want to reiterate that we already have a detox center in Burlingame, it’s very quiet, they do great work, and we’re already committed to making facilities like this available,” Brownrigg said. “That’s just who we are. But this process sucks.” 

The Burlingame City Council will receive a presentation on the treatment facility at its meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6. The Board of Supervisors intend to vote on the agreement with Horizon at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 7.