Commissioners discuss draft opioid settlement program: $175,000/year proposal for community-service deputy and $25,000 grants pool

Baker County commissioners discussed a proposed policy for allocating opioid-settlement funds at the Sept. 3, 2025 meeting and asked staff to refine the plan for formal action at a future session.

The draft presented designates a county community-service deputy (identified in the meeting as Gabe Maldonado) as a primary recipient, with proposed funding to cover salary, training and operating costs. The presenter suggested an illustrative figure of $175,000 per year to fund the deputy for five years; that amount would include salary and program operating costs. The draft also allocates a $25,000-per-year grant pool for community organizations and advised an application-review process for one annual award round timed to align with county budgeting.

Commissioners discussed the review process and potential membership for a small oversight/review panel. The discussion favored a compact review group of an odd number of reviewers to avoid tie votes; suggested members included a commissioner or commissioner designee, a health-department representative (or designee), and an external community representative such as a 5J representative or another community agency. Commissioners emphasized the need to avoid conflicts of interest by excluding direct recipients or program staff from the review panel.

No formal vote was taken; the board directed staff to place a refined policy, application template and review committee recommendation on a near-term agenda (the board discussed returning the item for consideration on Sept. 10).

Ending
Staff will prepare a final draft policy, an application form and a recommended review panel membership for the board to consider at a future meeting, including reporting requirements for recipients.