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Federal Way council delays vote on King County opioid-abatement agreement amendments
Summary
Council members asked for more detail about how the regional opioid abatement council would use and hold operating funds before approving proposed changes; the council voted to postpone the matter to the next regular meeting.
Federal Way city officials on July 1 agreed to postpone consideration of proposed changes to the King County Regional Opioid Abatement Council interlocal agreement after members asked for more detailed financial and governance information.
City Attorney Ryan Caller explained the proposed changes were prompted by how settlement payments are arriving and the council’s operating budget needs. “The opioid abatement council has asked us to modify the agreement that creates them and governs them,” Caller said, explaining the body currently must refund any unspent funds annually and is seeking discretion to retain funds to ensure operations over the full settlement period.
The proposed amendments would allow the abatement council to retain unspent operating funds for longer, rather than returning them each year, and would streamline contract-amendment procedures so routine adjustments do not require all member cities to individually execute an amendment. Caller described the change as intended to reduce administrative burden and to give the abatement council flexibility to respond to a front-loaded payment schedule.
Council members pressed for details. “Where does the money sit? What account and who holds the funds?” asked one council member. Council members asked how much the council currently holds, how interest (if any) is handled, how many staff administer the council’s work and operating budget, and why Auburn serves as the city representative for the South Sound cities. Caller said the operating allocation is up to 10% of disbursements and that the abatement council keeps its funds in a trust; he did not have the full staffing and interest details at the meeting.
Given the outstanding questions, Council President Coach Moore moved to postpone the item to the next regular meeting so staff could gather specifics on the abatement council’s operating costs, account arrangements and auditing/interest practices. Councilmember Walsh seconded the motion. The council voted to postpone unanimously.
The city will request written answers about the abatement council’s staffing, bank/trust arrangements, interest treatment, recent disbursement history to King County and any audits; staff said they will circulate those materials before the next meeting and place the item on the council agenda for formal action.
