Columbia County approves MAT provider contracts and updates Hardin Auditorium fee schedule

At their April 21 meeting, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved three independent contractor agreements to provide medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) services for the Columbia Judicial Circuit and adopted a fee‑schedule amendment for the Jabez S. Hardin Auditorium.

Vice Chairman Couch moved and the board approved an independent contractor agreement with Kawana McFadden to serve as the MAT program clerk, not to exceed $5,000 through Sept. 30, 2026. The board also approved renewal agreements with Serenity Behavioral Health Systems (not to exceed $10,500 for May 1–Sept. 30, 2026) and Martinez Urgent Care Inc. (not to exceed $10,500 for April 1–Sept. 30, 2026). Staff said these contracts renew services that are already in place and are intended to support accountability‑court functions.

Public commenter Howard Johnson praised the MAT contracts at the meeting, calling them “widely considered best practice” for addiction treatment and complimentary of professional involvement in treatment programs.

Separately, on a second and final reading the board adopted Resolution 26‑04 to amend the Hardin Auditorium fee schedule. Staff said the fee schedule had not been updated since 2016; the resolution gives the general manager authority to negotiate facility‑use agreements and fees while allowing adjustments to support nonprofit and smaller organizations’ access.

All motions on the contracts and the auditorium fee schedule passed by the board on voice votes during the meeting.