Clay County approves reclassification of vacant civil-commitment social work position to Rule 79 case manager

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 22 approved filling a vacant social work position in its Adult Mental and Behavioral Health Division and reclassifying that post from a civil-commitment role to a Rule 79 targeted case manager.
Kirsten, a staff member in the Adult Mental and Behavioral Health Division, told the board the change shifts duties from “court ordered non-billable civil commitment responsibility” to “preventative billable case management services under the Rule 79 case management framework.” She said three experienced staff currently handle civil commitment responsibilities and that civil commitment numbers have declined in recent years.
County staff told the board the position is budgeted for 2025 at grade 18, step 4, but that they anticipate hiring at grade 18, step 1, producing a projected salary savings of $9,226. Staff provided revenue projections showing an expected additional revenue stream of roughly $115,000 annually from Rule 79 billable case management services. The County’s Personnel and Internal Controls (PIC) committee reviewed and supported the request on July 15.
Commissioner Mark Kravanoff moved to hire one full-time social worker for the Adult Mental and Behavioral Health Division to fill the vacancy and reclassify the role; Commissioner Ebinger seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. The board directed staff to post the position immediately and proceed with recruitment.