Former Fontanelle mayor approved as Union County mental health advocate

Former Fontanelle mayor Mary Sturdy-Martin will fill the position of mental health advocate for Union County. In a quiet and quick session Wednesday, the Union County board of supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding for the position.

The mental health advocate is shared between five counties including Union, Adair, Adams, Decatur and Taylor. The position is required by state law and is meant to be filled by someone who has, according to Iowa Code, shown “an informed concern for the welfare and rehabilitation of persons with mental illness.”

During county hospitalization cases, the mental health advocate will represent an individual if the patient is “seriously mentally impaired,” representing the interests of the patient.

Adair County will cover fiscal responsibility for the position, acting as the employing county and covering payroll and expense reimbursement. Adair approved the hiring of Sturdy-Martin in January after the previous mental health advocate (who was employed in Union County) retired. Each county pays the mental health advocate for the hours completed in their respective county.

Sturdy-Martin served as mayor of Fontanelle between 2019 and 2023. She stepped down in 2023 to spend more time with her family. Her background as a mental health RN and previously serving as the AMN Healthcare clinical program director has allowed her experience within the world of psychiatric care. She holds an American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.

In other county news...

A noxious weed notice will be examined during this week’s county meeting on Wednesday, April 9. Union County Roads Superintendent Al Hysell originally scheduled the item for last week’s meeting, but was tabled until further information was accessed and added to the notice.