Houston County commissioners approve mental-health contract, staffing search, donation and payments

The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved several administrative and contractual items during their meeting.

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center: Bethany Moore, representing Hiawatha Valley Mental Health, presented the proposed 2026 contract and rate schedule. Moore said there were no changes to the contract text but some fee adjustments; she described planned service expansion in Houston County, including a drop-in center currently operating one day a week. Commissioners moved and seconded to approve the contract for 2026 and the motion passed by voice vote.

Public health staffing: Commissioners authorized a competitive search for a 1.0 full-time-equivalent public health family nurse after a recent resignation. Discussion noted caseload pressures and the need to maintain services; the board approved the competitive recruitment by voice vote.

Donations and payments: The board accepted a $200 donation from auxiliary post 6801 for the Veterans Service Office. The county also approved routine payments, including a noted $1,200,000 bond payment related to the jail; the batch of payments was approved by voice vote.

Other business: Staff and commissioners shared scheduling and committee updates, including reminders about the AMC legislative conference in March and upcoming public hearings on rifle-related matters set for Feb. 3 and March 3 at 6 p.m. The board adjourned after routine matters concluded.

Votes recorded in the transcript were taken by voice and recorded as passing; the transcript does not include full roll-call tallies for these items in the provided excerpt.