In a tense session at the Bexar County Commissioners Court, Judge Yolanda Huff passionately advocated for the transfer of oversight and funding for the county's mental health court from the Office of Criminal Justice to the County Court Administration. The meeting, held on March 11, 2025, highlighted ongoing frustrations regarding staffing and operational challenges that have persisted for over four years.

Judge Huff, who oversees County Court 12 and the mental health court, expressed deep concerns about the dual responsibilities placed on her staff, which she argued have led to chaos and burnout. "My staff is tired, overwhelmed, and nervous," she stated, emphasizing that they are being pulled in two directions by competing demands from both her court and the felony mental health court. She described the situation as untenable, noting that her team members were expected to manage caseloads far exceeding best practices, which recommend a maximum of 40 participants per supervisor.

The crux of Judge Huff's argument rested on her assertion that the current arrangement infringes upon her judicial authority. She cited Chapter 124 of the Texas Government Code, which grants judges the right to manage their court staff without interference from external departments. "I think that the budget's office and the Department of Criminal Justice have completely crossed a line into an authority that is not theirs," she declared, urging the court to resolve the issue by moving her mental health court under the umbrella of court administration.

Despite her impassioned plea, the court did not reach a resolution during the meeting. Commissioner Calvert proposed a motion to support Judge Huff's request, but it failed to garner a second, leaving the matter unresolved. The discussion revealed a divide between the judicial and executive branches, with some commissioners expressing concerns about budgetary implications and the need for a collaborative approach to address the staffing issues.

As the meeting concluded, County Judge Nelson Wolff directed staff to conduct a thorough review of the situation, including job descriptions and potential funding sources, to ensure that the needs of both the mental health court and the felony program are met. "We need to find an answer," he stated, emphasizing the importance of resolving the ongoing conflict to support the county's commitment to therapeutic justice.

The outcome of this meeting leaves lingering questions about the future of Bexar County's mental health court and the well-being of its staff, as both sides prepare to revisit the issue in the coming weeks.