Authorize and approve the Criminal Justice Department—Mental Health Assessment Unit’s FY2027 Budget; for a term of 10...

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

2026-0953 Authorize and approve the Criminal Justice Department—Mental Health Assessment Unit’s FY2027 Budget; for a term of 10/1/2026 through 9/30/2027; total term amount not to exceed $ 2,397,850.05. On a motion made by Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, and seconded by Commissioner Andrew Sommerman, the following order was passed and adopted by the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, State of Texas: BRIEFING DATE: September 1, 2026 FUNDING SOURCE: Project 94702 Be it resolved and ordered that the Dallas County Commissioners Court does hereby authorize and approve the Criminal Justice Department—Mental Health Assessment Unit’s budget to provide mental health assessments pursuant to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 16.22 for a term of 10/1/2026 through 9/30/2027; total term amount not to exceed $2,397,850.05; and authorize discretionary exemption from the competitive procurement via Tex. Local Gov’t Code Section 262.024 (a)(2) to preserve protect the public health and safety of Dallas County residents; and (a)(4) for professional services to preserve and protect the public health through timely identification, mental health assessment, and coordination of care for justice-involved individuals with suspected mental illness or intellectual disability. Done in open Court September 1, 2026 by the following vote: IN FAVOR: County Judge Clay Jenkins, Commissioner Dr. Theresa Daniel, Commissioner John Wiley Price, Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia, and Commissioner Andrew Sommerman OPPOSED: None ABSTAINED:

This motion is scored as EXPANDS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, measures that increase tax rates or fee schedules, issue new debt or Certificates of Obligation, expand regulatory/zoning restrictions on private land use, or authorize unbudgeted spending expansions reduce an official's Freedom Score when voted YES (and reward dissenting NO votes).