Title
Approve and adopt the proposed amended Bylaws of the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Commission (BHC).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and adopt the proposed amended Bylaws of the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Commission (BHC).
SUMMARY:
The Monterey County Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County of Monterey Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau on topics related to the provision of mental health and substance use disorder needs and services in the County pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5604 (WIC § 5604) by Resolutions Nos. 2021 and 86-76 of the Board of Supervisors for the County of Monterey (Board of Supervisors). BHC has voted to amend its Bylaws and is seeking the Board’s approval and adoption of the changes.
DISCUSSION:
On November 20, 2025, the BHC voted to accept the proposed amendments to the Behavioral Health Commission Bylaws, specifically Article 5, Section 5.01 to address misalignment in officer terms.
Currently, the Chairperson-Elect is elected annually, while the Chair’s terms was previously extended to two years without updating the Elect’s term. The staggered terms disrupt continuity and create gaps in preparation and momentum.
The goal of the proposed amendment is to promote greater leadership stability, cut down on executive turnover, and make transitions as smooth as possible for our commission.
The proposed amended bylaws update Article 5, Section 5.01 of the bylaws to ensure the committee’s purpose, powers, and authority are reflective to WIC §5604 for the following:
1. Alignment of Terms: Electing the Chairperson-Elect in the same year the current Chair starts their two-year term. They serve concurrently for those two years; auto-assume Chair role at end (unless Chair is re-elected).
Current language under Section 5.01 (c) states that the election of Chairperson-Elect is elected at the first meeting of every calendar year, which keeps things on a one-year cycle. The proposed language shifts that to the first meeting of the year when the Chair begins their two-year term, extending the Elect's term to two years as well, with automatic succession unless re-elected. As for vacancies, this will trigger a special election to keep the pipeline full.
2. Vacancy Provision: If the Chair-Elect spot opens up, BHC would hold a special election at the next meeting to fill the rest of the two-year term. For a Chair vacancy, the Elect jumps in immediately to finish the term, and BHC would elect a new Chair-Elect following a special election process.
The proposed language to Section 5.01 (d) states that the two-year term stays, but re-elections are now explicitly at the end of that term-no more annual option. Vacancies get handled swiftly by the Elect stepping up, followed by electing a new one per subdivision (c). These tweaks are minimal but fix the core misalignment without overhauling the whole structure.
3. Election Timing: Re-elections for Chair would only happen at the end of the full two-year term, eliminating disruptive annual cycles, resulting in greater consistency.
This work supports the following County of Monterey Health Department 2025-2028 Strategic Plan Goal(s): 1 Build Community Power and Partner’s Capacity to Increase Equity and Improve Health, and 4 Deepen Organizational Effectiveness and Support Long-Term Sustainability, it is in support of one or more of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable and 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved this amended Bylaws of the County of Monterey Behavioral Health Commission as to legal form.
FINANCING:
There is no financial impact resulting from this Board action.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
This agreement will create a smoother and more efficient transition in BHC leadership, while minimizing disruptions. The BHC can then focus on topics related to the provision of mental health and substance use disorder needs and services in the County, which aligns with the Strategic Plan Goal of Well-being and Quality of Life.
Mark a check next to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Plan Goals:
_X___ Well-Being and Quality of Life
____ Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
____ Safe and Resilient Communities
____ Diverse and Thriving Economy
Prepared by: Sandra Cortez, Management Analyst II, 755-4694
Approved by: Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Report
Attachment A Current Bylaws of the Behavioral Health Commission
Attachment B Proposed Amended Bylaws of the Behavioral Health Commission (Red-line Version)
Attachment C Proposed Amended Bylaws of the Behavioral Health Commission (Clean Version)