Lincoln County to post behavioral health crisis coordinator under state mental-health grant

County health department staff presented a draft job description for a behavioral health manager and crisis coalition coordinator to be funded under an existing state mental-health grant. Staff said HR reviewed the draft and recommended that the position be posted; they advised that the grant supports pay grades roughly in the 17–18 range but could accommodate up to grade 19 under certain conditions.

Commissioners discussed funding limits tied to the grant and whether the secondary position included in the grant should be full-time, part-time, or contracted. Staff said given the remaining grant term a contract for the second role could be considered and that the county would submit a contract revision request if needed. A commissioner moved to approve posting and hiring the coordinator with a grade of 17–19 to conform with the grant parameters; the motion carried.

During public comment, resident Rocky Gford asked where the grant money originated and whether nonprofits would be engaged. Staff replied the funds derive from a 2023 state mental-health appropriation (described in the meeting as a $300 million state grant) and said administration was expected to be handled through state and county programs rather than routed through local nonprofits. The county did not provide a detailed funding breakdown in the meeting record or specify the exact duration remaining on the grant.