Montgomery County commissioners approve emergency behavioral health lease, create Human Relations Commission and fund $610,000 in food grants

Montgomery County commissioners voted on a slate of measures Sept. 4 that included a county guarantee for the new emergency behavioral health center, formal establishment of a county Human Relations Commission and $610,000 in food-systems infrastructure grants.

The board approved a resolution authorizing the county to execute a three‑year guarantee and related documents for a lease to house an emergency behavioral health center. Montgomery County staff told commissioners the center — to be operated by Connections PA under a county RFP — will offer 24/7 crisis care for children and adults, provide a fast‑responder drop‑off with a target under 15 minutes, and aim to divert people from emergency departments, inpatient beds and jails. County staff said start‑up costs are fully funded through a mix of HealthChoices reinvestment dollars and project‑specific grants, with anticipated ongoing operations covered largely by Medicaid (HealthChoices), commercial insurance and state grants. Commissioners moved and approved the lease guarantee at the meeting.

The board also approved creation of the Montgomery County Human Relations Commission, a locally based body authorized under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Solicitor Ben Field told the board the commission will be independent and nonpartisan and that county staff will spend the next 180 days recruiting commissioners, drafting bylaws and establishing procedures. The resolution passed 2–1 after public remarks and commissioner discussion about scope, enforcement and next steps.

Other votes included a five‑year cooperative agreement renewal for the Title IV‑D child support program (federal Social Security Act program), and approval of a $610,000 package of food‑systems infrastructure grants to support local pantries, farms and commercial kitchen projects. The board approved personnel listings, advertised bids and RFPs, and authorized several contracts, including a new prescription benefit manager for county employee coverage reported to save more than $1 million. Appointments to the county’s America 2‑50 commission also were approved.

Meeting motions were moved and seconded on the record; minutes from Aug. 14 were approved and salary‑board items considered following the public meeting. Voting roll calls were given verbally at each motion.

Votes at a glance - Resolution approving county execution of a 3‑year lease guarantee and supporting documents for the Emergency Behavioral Health Center (mover: Commissioner Winder; second: Commissioner DeBello) — approved. - Resolution renewing the Title IV‑D child support cooperative agreement (5‑year term starting Oct. 1) — approved. - Resolution funding $610,000 in Food Systems Infrastructure grants (13 projects recommended from two‑step application process) — approved. - Resolution establishing the Montgomery County Human Relations Commission (5–7 members; 2‑year terms) — approved 2–1. - Resolution creating the America 2‑50 Montgomery County Commission and approving appointments (3‑year volunteer terms) — approved. - Personnel list, bids/RFP advert, multiple contract awards/amendments including new prescription benefit manager and vehicle barrier equipment — approved. - Salary board and payroll/personnel approvals — approved.

The meeting record shows the board approved all routine administrative items and a number of substantive policy actions that commissioners said are intended to expand local crisis services, enforce civil‑rights protections at the county level, and shore up community food infrastructure.