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Cave Creek approves MOUs to use opioid settlement funds with school district and Foothills Caring Corps

5924099 ยท October 22, 2024

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Summary

The council adopted Resolution R2024-14 authorizing the mayor to sign memoranda of understanding with the Cave Creek Unified School District and the Foothills Caring Corps to spend Arizona opioid settlement grant funds on prevention and education programs; the town reported roughly $40,000 in the account with limited prior spending.

The Cave Creek Town Council on Monday adopted Resolution R2024-14 authorizing the mayor to execute memoranda of understanding with the Cave Creek Unified School District and the Foothills Caring Corps to deploy opioid-settlement grant funds for local education and prevention programs.

Why it matters: The town is using money derived from national opioid manufacturer and distributor settlements routed through Arizona's settlement program (identified in meeting remarks as settlements associated with several manufacturers and retailers) to fund community programs. Council and staff said approximately $40,000 is currently available in the town's account, with under $3,000 spent to date on outreach for first responders and families.

What the agreements do: The adopted resolution authorizes the mayor to sign MOUs allowing the town to transfer settlement funds to the Cave Creek Unified School District and to Foothills Caring Corps under the Arizona 1 Plan (state/county distribution). Under the proposed arrangement, the school district will provide parent and community education and the district's social worker would manage allocation of funds for school-based programming. The town manager said the district has already approved the MOU through its governing board.

Public comment and council discussion: Superintendent Bill Dolezal spoke in support, calling the funding a chance to provide ongoing education and resources and announcing an upcoming parent forum on Nov. 4 about child and teen trafficking. Council members said they view the funding as a proactive, community-based investment in youth and families. One council member sought and received confirmation from the town attorney that Vice Mayor Royer's volunteer role with Foothills Caring Corps posed no conflict of interest.

Outcome and next steps: The motion to adopt Resolution R2024-14 passed on a roll-call vote with each council member recorded in the affirmative. Staff said the town will begin transferring funds to the school district after the signed MOU and after receiving a program syllabus from each partner to assure expenditures meet Arizona 1 Plan guidelines.