A decades-old mental health partnership between Ray, Clay and Platte counties is set to change as Platte County prepares to withdraw and Ray and Clay counties move forward together.

Ray County commissioners recently approved proceeding with an agreement outlining Platte County’s withdrawal from Tri-County Mental Health effective Dec. 31. The agreement also addresses handling of the organization’s assets and funds as Ray and Clay counties continue under a successor board.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tara Medlin, who presented the agreement to commissioners, explained the three counties formed Tri-County Mental Health around 1980.

Platte County provided the required notice of its decision to withdraw, with officials noting the change has been under discussion for more than a year. Ray County officials previously considered whether the three-county arrangement would disband following Platte County’s withdrawal or whether Ray County should continue its partnership with Clay County. Commiss…