The Hays County Commissioners Court authorized the County Courts at Law to hire a mental health case worker and mental health court administrator at a meeting June 7. The original agenda item listed the case worker position at a salary of $49,725 and the court administrator position salary at $62,000.

However, the item was amended, and the salary for the court administrator was raised to $66,184.

The salary exceptions are for individuals that meet the preferred qualifications for those positions, Court at Law Judge Dan O'Brien said at the meeting.

The court administrator will be responsible for the creation and implementation of mental health court program operating procedures and day-to-day function of the court, which is meant to provide an alternative to jail if mental health issues played a role in a person's crime.

The case worker will review incoming cases, interview potential candidates and more.

The court approved funding for mental health-related positions in October and created the positions in April; both positions have qualified applicants, but there have been no official offers extended yet.