Court approves mental‑health deputy transfers, MHID‑funded hires and joins statewide opioid settlement

The Nueces County Commissioners on Feb. 9 approved multiple steps aimed at expanding county capacity for behavioral-health response and joined a statewide opioid settlement.

Constable McCracken requested transfer of two vacant mental‑health deputy positions from the sheriff’s office to the constable’s office to support countywide crisis response. The court made the statutory finding required under Local Government Code §86.011(a) that the precinct needs the deputies and approved the transfers.

Separately, the court approved four additional mental‑health deputy positions to be funded by the Hospital District / MHID. Commissioners emphasized coordination among constable offices and the sheriff’s office and asked staff to confirm vehicle and equipment assignments so new hires would be fully resourced.

In executive session the court also authorized county counsel and outside counsel to execute settlement documents for Nueces County to participate in the Texas statewide opioid settlements covering Endo Pharmaceuticals, Teva, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson. The court’s motion authorized execution of the settlement documents and related forms required by the statewide agreement.

Commissioners said expanding mental‑health deputies is a priority to reduce inappropriate jail bookings and to provide co-responder services with health partners. The MHID‑funded positions were described as no-cost to the county budget because the hospital district will underwrite salaries and benefits for the four hires; the two transferred positions carry existing funding arrangements.

Ending: Staff will coordinate onboarding, equipment and vehicle needs and return with implementation details; county counsel will continue negotiating settlement paperwork and return signed documents as required.

Quotes: Constable McCracken summarized the request: "We would just be footing ... the responsibility for the county... It would be a Nueces County position." The court also voted to authorize authorization for settlement paperwork on the opioid case and directed outside counsel to execute the documents.