Kerr County approves seventh amendment to Wellpath contract for jail medical services at $1.43 million
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Summary
The commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s contract with Wellpath LLC for inmate health care services; the sheriff’s office reported the amended annual contract total would be $1,425,790 to cover CPI, staffing increases and psychiatric services.
Kerr County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the seventh amendment to the county’s inmate health care contract with Wellpath LLC, increasing the contract to $1,425,790 for the coming year.
Sheriff Latham presented the amendment and said the contract increase stems from three main factors: the Consumer Price Index adjustment (3 percent this year), an increase in nursing and certified medical assistant staffing to improve on-site care and medicine administration, and expanded psychiatric services to address the jail’s mental‑health needs. The sheriff told the court the contract helps the jail provide care in‑house and avoid costly transports to outside hospitals where possible.
Representatives from Wellpath, including a regional representative and the jail nurse in charge, attended the meeting to answer technical questions. The sheriff noted the contract review and approval followed county procedures, and that the county attorney had reviewed the amendment.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the reasons for the increases and the jail’s mental‑health caseload; the sheriff acknowledged the county faces significant behavioral‑health needs among people booked into custody and said the contract supports in‑jail services and continuity of care on release.
The motion to approve the seventh amendment passed unanimously; commissioners did not change the scope beyond the proposed staffing and CPI adjustments.
The sheriff also noted ongoing efforts to pursue grants addressing mental health in the justice‑involved population and said he would present another proposal later in the agenda tied to a separate grant opportunity.
