Commissioners deny county match for Light Recovery transportation grant

Living In Transition (Light Recovery) asked county commissioners for a $75,000 match from county opioid-settlement funds to pair with a $75,000 state award for a transportation program called Access to Care.

Tammy Cotton, executive director of Living In Transition, said the program would lease a van, hire two drivers and provide rides from jail to recovery programs, treatment and court appointments; Cotton said the organization already operates several vans and a transportation coordinator.

County staff reported they had reviewed materials with opioid fund administrators and county leadership and that the state requires a dollar-for-dollar local match if the state award is accepted. Commissioners asked whether the applicant had pursued other transportation funding options including local transit partners; staff noted outreach with local transit and third-party providers had occurred but additional coordination was possible.

“Transportation is a huge barrier for the individuals, especially that we serve,” Cotton said, describing clients who need rides to post‑incarceration treatment and court dates.

After discussion, one commissioner moved to deny the county match request, and another commissioner seconded. The motion to deny passed by voice vote.

County staff said opioid-settlement funds exist in the county account and that the decision to deny was discretionary; no further county commitment was made. Cotton was told the agency could pursue alternate funding and coordination with regional transit and workforce-transportation programs.

The commissioners’ comments indicated they support transportation access in principle but preferred coordination with existing regional programs (including a suggested follow-up with the regional planning body) before committing opioid-settlement dollars.