Human Services Board recommends limited first‑year opioid settlement spending and multi‑year reserve

The Portage Human Services Board presented its annual report for 2024–25 at the April 29 council meeting and outlined recommendations for spending opioid settlement funds and general‑fund human services grants. The council voted to receive the report.

Board chair Brooke Kolodziejc told council the board reviewed eight applications for opioid‑related work and recommended spending part of the settlement allocation in the first year and carrying over the remainder to support multiyear programs. "We recommended the use of $51,965 in this first year and then to carry over the rest, which is approximately $47,756," Kolodziejc said, citing the board's recommendation for measured, multi‑year support. She said the board favored local providers, including Portage Public Schools and nonprofit programs such as Psychological Safety Services, Community Healing Centers and Helping Other People (HOPE).

Pat McGinnis, the city manager, summarized for listeners that the funds are from national opioid litigation settlements and that Portage received a modest allocation compared with similar communities. The board said it plans an annual review of funded projects and will make adjustments as the programs mature.

Council action: the council moved to receive the Human Services Board annual report (voice vote: ayes). No specific additional allocations were approved at the meeting; councilors asked clarifying questions about program prioritization, review timelines and how the board assessed grant requests against Portage citizen impact and organization budget size.

Ending: the board will oversee initial grants and review program performance each year; staff and the board will return to council with further recommendations as projects move from startup to ongoing operation.