Board approves opioid settlement spending plan after public pleas for harm reduction
After testimony from harm‑reduction advocates and extensive commissioner discussion on allocation pace and balance, the Kent County Board adopted the proposed opioid settlement spending plan and directed staff to consider spending tempo and intermunicipal coordination.
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The Kent County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt the county’s FY27–28 opioid settlement spending plan after several public speakers urged the board to prioritize harm reduction and prevention. Joshua McClennan of the Grand Rapids RED Project urged the board to "use this money to keep people alive," and other advocates highlighted evidence for syringe services and school‑based prevention programs. Catherine Kelly and Dolly Kellogg, both community advocates, urged funding across prevention, treatment and recovery with emphasis on youth prevention and sustained harm‑reduction services.
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