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Judge asks jury to use opioid settlement funds for pretrial services coordinator; jurors refer request to finance committee
Summary
Judge Gentry asked Sabine Parish jurors to set aside opioid settlement funds to hire a pretrial services coordinator (proposed salary $50,000) to track treatment and reduce recidivism; jurors voted to refer the proposal to the finance committee for detailed cost estimates and risk assessment.
Judge Gentry told the Sabine Parish Police Jury on Jan. 15 that she wants opioid settlement funds set aside to hire a pretrial services coordinator to help people with substance-use disorders access treatment and remain in court-ordered programs.
"I'm here to ask that money from the opioid, settlement funds be set aside for a pretrial service coordinator for the court," Gentry said on the record, outlining how a coordinator would confirm treatment placements, track urine screens and report back to court and to the opioid-abatement task force. The judge said the role would also help the court meet grant and memorandum-of-understanding reporting obligations.
County staff and the judge described an existing local worker, Dale Walters, who is employed by Forever Wellness and currently helps the court by coordinating treatment, conducting checks and supporting participants in pretrial conferences. Judge Gentry requested the parish hire that function as a parish position with an annual salary request of $50,000; prosecutors and law-enforcement staff present expressed general support for the concept but recommended detailed budgeting.
Walters told jurors he brings lived experience to the role and emphasized accountability and follow-up. "I come from a standpoint of somebody that was an addict for 30 years," Walters said, describing why close monitoring and engagement can keep people in treatment.
Jurors expressed two recurring concerns: (1) opioid settlement payments from the state are scheduled and may fluctuate over the 18-year distribution; and (2) making the coordinator a parish employee would require budgeting for fringe benefits, insurance and potential unemployment liabilities if funds are not renewed. Secretary-Treasurer Bill Weatherford noted fringe benefits and retirement contributions would increase the true recurring cost above the proposed base salary.
After discussion, jurors voted to refer the judge's request to the finance committee for a detailed fiscal analysis that includes fringe and recurring costs and scenarios if opioid funds decline. The finance committee was asked to report back with hard numbers before the jury would commit to hiring or making the position a parish employee. The referral carried by voice vote.
No final hiring decision was made at the Jan. 15 meeting; jurors asked staff to provide written cost estimates and reimbursement scenarios tied to the Supreme Court drug-court funding and other grant opportunities.
