Commissioners report progress with state legislators on opioid trust fund and behavioral unit reimbursement

Strafford County commissioners reported meetings with state senators and with the attorney general’s office about how state budget and settlement changes could affect county finances, including reimbursement for a county behavioral unit and the treatment of opioid settlement funds.

A commissioner said they had met with four senators and that two senators told them “the senate’s of like mind not to enforce that 3% guide.” The chair reported the governor “doesn't support that either.” Commissioners and staff said senators signaled the opioid trust fund adjustments at issue may be inconsistent with the settlement that determines how those funds must be spent. “They agreed that it's illegal,” one commissioner said, characterizing senators’ feedback about the trust fund use.

County officials said they were told no one objected to refunding an 18-month rebate related to those funds and that the issue will be addressed in the legislative process. The group also reported that Henry Littmann, from the attorney general’s office, “has guaranteed us equitable reimbursement for our behavior unit,” and that reimbursement would be addressed in July rate-setting.

Commissioners said the senate will receive updated revenue numbers that may increase from the house baseline; they expect those numbers will affect final negotiations. The county's delegation planned follow-up meetings, including a session with Senator Gray on Monday and an earlier meeting with a senator from Carroll County who indicated he had a plan to review.

No formal county action or ordinance resulted from the discussion; commissioners described the session as a status update on lobbying efforts and state budget negotiations.