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Shepherdsville council hears requests for opioid-settlement funds; Mark 12 seeks $20,000 for recovery services
Summary
Representatives of Mark 12 asked the Shepherdsville City Council to consider $20,000 in opioid-settlement funds to support transportation, staffing, training and curriculum for addiction recovery programs; council members requested accountability and said funds must be reported and overseen.
Mark 12 representatives told the Shepherdsville City Council they are seeking $20,000 from the city’s opioid-settlement allocation to expand recovery and transitional housing services.
Nathan Young, pastor at Mercy Hill Church and a Mark 12 board member, presented a breakdown of the request: $10,000 for transportation (insurance, maintenance, fuel for vans), $9,000 to offset staffing (including the Pathway Home program director) and $1,000 for curriculum and training for support groups. Young described Pathway Home as a mentorship and case-management program that assists people exiting addiction with housing searches, budget coaching and placement help.
Council members asked how the funds would be overseen. Young said Mark 12 has a board, a financial director and regular financial reporting; he and council members also said the city and county will retain oversight and that federal reporting rules require itemized accounting. The mayor said the city receives recurring opioid-settlement payments and expects to allocate money to several local organizations, testing smaller allocations for a year to evaluate outcomes before larger commitments. “We want to give a little bit to a few organizations, and then what we want to do is come back, and after a year, say who’s really making the difference,” the mayor said.
Young said Mark 12 serves Bullitt County residents and partners with organizations including Isaiah House, Alpha Ministries and local drug court programs. He described transportation as a major barrier for clients, noting many services are centered in Louisville and that Pathway Home provides rides to work and appointments. Young said Mark 12 is roughly 50% self-sustaining through its thrift store and other ventures and would provide regular financial reports if funded.
Council members asked whether funds would be limited to Bullitt County residents and who would control the money; Young said funds would go to Mark 12, which would report to the council and relevant county or state oversight. No formal allocation or vote occurred; council members requested presentations from multiple providers and said they expect organizations to submit spending reports if they receive city funds. Staff and council indicated a plan to invite several organizations to present over the next months and consider allocations by mid‑June.
