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County approves indigent trust and earmarks opioid funds for problem‑solving courts
Summary
County staff reported Board of County Commissioners approvals for indigent trust fund support and an opioid‑settlement allocation discussed as funding sources for adult mental health and other problem‑solving courts; staff are drafting contracts and scopes for implementation.
Kevin Wagner of Hillsborough County Healthcare Services reported that the Board of County Commissioners has approved indigent trust fund dollars to support the adult mental health court and that the county earmarked opioid‑settlement money for problem‑solving courts.
Wagner told the Public Safety Coordinating Council that the indigent trust funds amount to “a little over a million dollars a year for the next three years” for adult mental health court operations and renewals, and that staff have been working with court administration to align services for indigent individuals with the county healthcare plan. “We have been working on that for about six months with Gina Justice's staff, and we are happy to report that it's gone that far to success,” Wagner said.
He also reported that the Board set aside $25 million in opioid settlement dollars for a request for applications and a $1 million allocation specifically for problem‑solving courts (drug treatment court, detox, BTC). County staff are drafting scopes and contracts and anticipate bringing those contracts to the Board for approval after negotiations.
Nut graf: The funding decisions are intended to sustain specialty and problem‑solving court programs that county officials described as serving many indigent defendants and helping connect people to treatment and continuity of care.
Council members praised the development. Robert Parkinson, staff member, said data from the clerk’s office showed a significant population of indigent individuals entering the court system and said the funding will help specialty courts “thrive” after prior state funding declines. Wagner confirmed staff are in contract conversations with service providers and court administration but did not give a firm timeline for when contracts will reach the Board of County Commissioners.
Ending: Staff said detailed scopes and contract negotiations are ongoing and will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for final authorization before funds are disbursed.
