Commissioners appoint members to Bay Area Behavioral Health Authority and other advisory slots

The Bay County Board of Commissioners moved on March 17 to fill four three‑year terms (April 1, 2026–March 31, 2029) on the Bay Area Behavioral Health Authority board. The board received eligibility results from the nominations committee and voted in rounds, with commissioners following the rule that four votes were required to appoint a candidate.

Public comment included Christopher Gerard, who identified himself and asked to be considered for continued service: "I would be honored to continue serving in this role," he said, citing his work on behavioral‑health boards and partnerships. A second public commenter, Chris Hollovic, urged support for applicant Kenzie Colton based on her mental‑health experience.

Appointment process and outcomes: Commissioners tallied candidate votes in multiple rounds. The chair announced appointees after the ballot process. The board also moved to receive applicants and make a reappointment to the Region 7 Area Agency on Aging advisory council and approved that reappointment.

Why it matters: The Bay Area Behavioral Health Authority oversees regional behavioral‑health governance and its board composition affects local oversight of services and funding priorities. Appointments put community members and local officials in seats that will influence behavioral‑health policy and contractual oversight.

Record and next steps: The board voted to receive the nominations committee results and to make appointments; vote counts and the four‑vote threshold were discussed on the record. Newly appointed members will begin their terms on April 1, 2026. The board did not take further substantive policy action on behavioral‑health programs at this meeting.

(Names of appointees and vote tallies were announced during the vote tallying process on the record.)