Published: March 25, 2008 04:50 pm            

Commissioners OK mental health officer

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

During their Monday morning meeting, Cherokee County commissioners voted unanimously to allow the sheriff’s department to hire a new deputy to act as the county’s mental health officer.

Sheriff James Campbell and Allyn Lang, executive director of ACCESS, were on hand to explain the proposal to the commissioner’s court.

“Mr. Lang approached me about six weeks ago and told me that they have the money to pay the full salary and benefits for an additional deputy sheriff if he was designated as a mental health officer,” Campbell said. “His top priority would be mental health, but when he’s not being utilized for that he can be used to perform the regular jobs of a deputy sheriff.”

Lang explained ACCESS will receive $520,000 from the state during the next two years thanks to a crisis funding act passed in the last legislature. While additional funding is not guaranteed following the first two years, Lang said he expects the funding to be renewed.

“Our share of the money is $230,000 for this fiscal year and $290,000 for next year. We don’t anticipate this funding to go away, but if the economy goes into the tank, mental health is not generally a high priority in our state,” he said.

Also included in the deal is a new patrol car for the MHO to use. Campbell said the car would not be suitable for pursuits, but could be used to make calls.

“This would greatly help the department time-wise if we could get this officer, and it would be at no cost to the county. Currently when we receive mental health warrants we have to pull deputies off the streets and tie them up for a long time dealing with that,” Campbell said. “After we pick an individual up at their workplace or residence, before they can be evaluated by ACCESS we have to take them to the Emergency Room at ETMC (East Texas Medical Center) to be medically cleared. Sometimes my officers are there for three to six hours waiting because they have to wait in line just like everyone else.”

The sheriff said he would like to have an officer in place in the next 30 days.

“First I would open it up to the people already in the department, and if one of them took it I would have to replace them. If no one was interested, I would then have to go outside the department ,” he said. “The mental health officer needs to be a certified officer, and the position will require some specialized training.”

Campbell explained the position would only last for as long as the funding is available, and that any officer hired to the position would be made aware beforehand the job could potentially be temporary.

County Judge Chris Davis called the arrangement between the county and ACCESS a win-win situation.

The court also approved a proclamation by Davis naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Cherokee County. The county also granted permission to Child Protective Services to use the courthouse lawn, April 8, for a special child abuse prevention event. Artwork made by local students will be on display inside the county courthouse during the month of April.

In other business the court approved:

• the laying of utility lines on County Roads 2427, 3414 and 4223;

• the Rusk Chamber of Commerce to use the courthouse grounds for the annual Rusk Fair of the Square, May 23 and 24;

• the purchase of Hanger 21 by Jack Porbeck;

• the Cherokee County Health Department to send its lab specimens to the DRL lab;

• an agreement with Allied Waste North America authorizing Judge Davis to approve bond financing;

• the monthly report from Ricky Moore, license and weight officer;

• the reappointment of Harold Parrish as a trustee of ACCESS;

• the plat for Eagle’s Bluff Section 1, Block 4, Lots 17-19 into 17A and 19A; and

• paying the bills.

Cherokee County Commissioners Court regularly meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month, at the county courthouse. The public is invited to attend all meetings.

        

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