MHAS board recommends merger with regional recovery board; commissioners expect July 2026 start

Mircea Handru of Huron County Mental Health & Addiction Services told commissioners on Nov. 18 that the MHAS board voted 13–0 to recommend merging Huron County’s mental health board with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board that serves Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties. Handru said the merger aims to reduce overhead, expand access and streamline services.

Handru said the merger would keep levy funds collected in Huron County available for Huron County residents and that a new 18-member district board would include 12 seats appointed by the participating counties and six state appointees. “All tax levy funds collected in Huron County will remain for Huron County residents,” Handru said.

Commissioner Tom Dunlap asked whether Huron would have seats on the new board; Handru said the five counties would appoint 12 members with the state appointing the remaining six. Assistant Prosecutor Randal Strickler confirmed that the statutory framework requires local levy funds to remain dedicated to county residents. Handru said he is aiming for a July 1, 2026 start date if state approvals proceed on schedule.

Handru described expected benefits including cost savings, facility overhead reduction, and improved placement prioritization for clients who currently face limited local options. He said an earlier regional merger that added Ottawa County in 2021 had been “a very successful transition.”

Commissioners asked about office locations and services; Handru said contracts with local providers would continue and the plan is to maintain a Norwalk office initially, with specifics to be determined by the new district board. The item was presented to commissioners and a resolution recommending the merger was provided to the board for future consideration.