The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 4
Subject: Community Behavioral Health and Wellness Advisory Council
I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
I. The Metropolitan Government of Nashville has an interest in protecting, promoting, and sustaining the behavioral health and wellbeing of all people across the lifespan.
II. Behavioral health and wellness is a priority for our city to address in a systematic and collaborative manner.
III. There is hereby created and established for the Metropolitan Government a Community Behavioral Health and Wellness Advisory Council (“Advisory Council”).
IV. Responsibility and Authority.
The Advisory Council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor and is charged with the following goals and responsibilities:
- Identifying, reviewing, and promoting community behavioral health priorities, and determining best practice goals and strategies for lessening the impact of mental illness and addiction on the people of Nashville.
- Advancing the prioritization of making Nashville a safe, stable, and nurturing community with a behavioral health system that supports prevention, awareness, recovery, and resilience, and prioritizes equitable access to holistic, comprehensive, and affordable care.
- Promoting collaboration among Metropolitan Government departments and non-governmental partners to address the priorities of the Advisory Council.
- Developing and implementing bylaws for Advisory Council operations.
- Serving as a resource to the Metropolitan Government, including providing data and recommendations to inform changes to systems, policies, practice, and budgeting related to community behavioral health issues and priorities.
- Forming and amplifying the work of appropriate sub-committees as needed to advance the work of the Advisory Council.
- Disseminating its findings broadly through reports and community engagement strategies.
V. Composition.
- The Advisory Council shall be composed of a minimum of eleven (11) and a maximum of fifteen (15) members from a diverse background appointed by the Mayor. The Advisory Council may recommend candidates to fill vacancies in the Council membership to the Mayor for consideration.
- Co-Chairs, one employed by a governmental entity and one employed by a non-governmental entity, will be selected by the Advisory Council membership.
- The Advisory Council may elect such additional officers as it finds necessary and appropriate.
- A quorum for approving decisions made by the Advisory Council shall consist of a majority of the currently filled positions on the Advisory Council.
- Members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation.
VI. Terms and Meetings.
- Advisory Council members shall serve for a term of three (3) years; provided however, that the initial members shall be appointed for staggered terms of one (1), two (2) and three (3) years from the effective date of this Executive Order. Advisory Council members shall continue to serve until the expiration of the term for which they were appointed or until such time as they are reappointed, or their successors are appointed. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as a regular appointment and the person appointed shall serve the remainder of the term.
- Advisory Council members shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.
- The Advisory Council shall meet monthly and conduct their meetings in accordance with their bylaws.
VII. Staff.
The Metropolitan Public Health Department shall provide staff support for the Advisory Council.
VIII. Effective Date.
This Executive Order shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: January 17, 2024
Amended May 30, 2024
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor