Board adopts revised bylaws for Mental Health Local Advisory Council to match state statute

The Carver County Board of Commissioners approved revised bylaws for the Mental Health Local Advisory Council (also described in meeting materials as the Mental Health Advisory Committee) to align the body's membership and qualifications with Minnesota Statute 246.666, subd. 5.

County staff and council representatives said the revisions codify statutory member categories the council must include — at least one consumer, one family member of an adult with mental illness, one mental health professional and one community support services program representative — and reduce the committee’s authorized membership from 14 to 13 to reduce quorum problems and allow clearer vote outcomes.

Melissa Hanson, community support unit supervisor and county staff liaison to the council, introduced Kayla Pascoe, the council’s newly elected chair, who explained the edits and stated they were intended to ensure statutory compliance and clearer language in the bylaws.

Commissioners commented that the changes addressed a long-standing difficulty filling seats for a weekday, 4 p.m. meeting and that an odd membership number would reduce the likelihood of tie votes. The board approved the revised bylaws by motion; Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Lynch seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

The revised bylaws will be used to guide appointments and quorum calculations for the council. Council and county staff said they will continue recruitment efforts for outstanding seats and follow the statutory qualifications when making appointments.