Missouri Proposes Consolidation of SORTS Facilities Amid Local Outcry

The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) has proposed consolidating all Sexual Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment Services (SORTS) operations in Farmington, raising significant concerns among local residents and officials. The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce is actively collecting signatures for a petition opposing this move, which could potentially make Farmington the only facility of its kind in the state.

Local opposition is gaining momentum as residents in Farmington and surrounding Parkland communities express their discontent with the proposal. The Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce (FRCC), led by Chief Executive Officer Candy Hente, has launched an online petition available at farmingtonregionalchamber.com. Since its release on September 29, 2025, the petition has garnered over 400 digital signatures within just a few hours, reflecting widespread community concern about the implications of the consolidation.

At recent Farmington City Council meetings, State Representative Dale Wright has voiced his objections to the consolidation. He warned that if the proposal goes through, Farmington could become known as the “sexual predator capital of Missouri.” During a meeting, Wright expressed apprehension about the visibility of a facility secured with razor wire, stating, “The first thing you’re going to see as you come off of Highway 67 is razor wire on the right side there on Columbia Street.”

Wright has indicated that the decision to consolidate is not yet final, although he received conflicting information from another legislator. He highlighted the state’s previous plans to shift behavioral health patients from Farmington to a new facility in Kansas City, suggesting that the current site might be repurposed for sexual offenders. “Currently, Fulton, Missouri, has a fairly new sexual predator unit, but they can’t find workers,” he noted. “They found out that Farmington has good workers and a good work ethic.”

In light of these developments, Wright has urged the community to gather signatures, aiming for 5,000 to draw the governor’s attention. He expressed his commitment to delivering the petition directly to Governor Mike Kehoe and DMH Director Valerie Huhn alongside Senator Mike Henderson.

During a past city council meeting, Wright reiterated his concerns, stating that the DMH plans to move forward with the consolidation as early as 2029 or 2030. City Administrator Beavers confirmed ongoing investigations into the proposal and emphasized the community’s desire to prevent Farmington from becoming associated with such facilities. He described the prospect of a secured facility on Columbia Street as an unwelcome image for visitors entering the city.

The SORTS program sees a steady increase in admissions while only a few individuals are released, leading to long-term implications for the community. As Beavers articulated, “Nobody I’ve talked to in Farmington wants to be known as the sexual offender residential treatment services center of Missouri.”

A petition is currently being drafted, following Wright’s suggestions, to determine the best strategies for gathering signatures. Both Wright and Henderson have also been asked to explore potential legislation that would require local approval before any similar facilities could be established in future.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available. A comprehensive report on the DMH proposal and an overview of the SORTS program’s history will be published next week, providing deeper insights into the implications for the Farmington community.