The Jefferson County Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with LifeSpring Health Systems to allow LifeSpring to collect additional local data and evaluate needs for residential behavioral-health services.

The agreement, described during the May 1 commission meeting, is intended to let LifeSpring “collect some more data in the county and try to decide … what do we need — a full-blown treatment center or some more help at the jail,” according to comments made during the meeting.

Commissioners said the work would help determine the county’s next steps on mental-health services and potential residential programs. The commission noted LifeSpring leadership had already signed the documents; the meeting transcript references Beth Kinney as LifeSpring’s president and chief executive officer.

The vote to approve the memorandum was taken by voice; meeting remarks indicate the motion passed after a second and an “aye” vote from those present. The motion text recorded at the meeting asked the commission to “approve and move forward with the memorandum of understanding between Jefferson County and LifeSpring Health Systems, to establish a collaborative relationship to establish residential services program in Jefferson County.” The transcript does not record the names of the motion’s mover or seconder, nor a roll-call tally.

Commission discussion at the meeting did not specify a funding commitment, timetable for any subsequent study, or a firm scope for the residential services program; the MOU was presented as a step to gather information on whether a treatment center, jail-based services expansion, or other interventions are needed. Meeting remarks described the county’s goal as obtaining more detailed local information before deciding on further action.

The commission’s approval allows LifeSpring to proceed with data collection under the MOU; any future programs, contracts, or budget requests would require separate commission action.