Council approves opioid-fund appropriation to keep opioid/mental-health outreach through year’s end
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Summary
Bill 56-25 passed 9-0 to appropriate opioid-restricted funds to cover one health promotion specialist and related programming through Dec. 31, 2025, after two grants were clawed back and state funding for Health First Indiana was reduced by 73.3% for 2026.
The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 approved Bill 56-25, authorizing the Department of Health to use opioid-restricted funds to cover salary and program costs for an opioid-focused health promotion specialist from July 26 to Dec. 31, 2025.
Amy Rupi, finance director for the health department, said the department lost two grants in March and expects a 73.3% reduction in Health First Indiana funding for 2026. To keep the program running in the short term, the department requested appropriation from the county’s opioid-restricted fund to pay salary, mileage and programming costs for one specialist focused on opioid use and mental health.
County financial staff confirmed the opioid-restricted money comes from national opioid settlements and is distributed to counties on a schedule. “It’s correct. It’s, like it's not in our lawsuit. It's like a class action,” a county fiscal representative said.
The bill received a favorable committee recommendation and drew no public opposition at the hearing. Councilman Tanner moved to approve; Councilwoman Hess seconded. The roll call vote was 9-0 in favor.
The appropriation is intended as a bridge to sustain services while the department pursues other funding avenues. Council members and staff cited the appropriateness of opioid-settlement dollars for opioid-use prevention and related programming.
