Court approves annual contracts and MOUs with West Texas Centers for mental-health and diversion work

The Howard County Commissioners Court approved a set of annual contracts and memoranda of understanding with West Texas Centers covering mental-health deputies, House Bill 13 grant coordination, diversion services and related matching funds.

The presiding Chair introduced the contracts and noted the court met the organizations earlier in a 9:00 a.m. workshop. The Chair said the three organizations "serve Howard County and beyond" and that the court "do[es] support them at some level." Mister Jones, invited to answer questions, offered to respond and a West Texas Centers representative thanked the county for its support, saying the diversion program "helps save taxpayer dollars" by reducing recidivism and jail costs. Commissioner Wagner moved to approve the contracts and MOUs; Commissioner Long seconded and the motion passed by voice vote. The court provided no separate tally in the transcript.

Why it matters: the agreements fund local diversion and mental-health services that county officials said help keep eligible people out of jail and connect them to care. The transcript indicates the contracts are part of the court's annual process and were reviewed in the morning workshop prior to today’s action.

The court moved on to the next agenda item after approving the contracts.