University Place council reviews opioid-abatement settlement funds, considers training and partner options

City Attorney Matt Casper briefed the University Place City Council on the status of opioid-abatement settlements and local procedures during the council's April 21 meeting, saying the city has received nearly $53,000 to date and is projected to receive about $166,000 through 2038 under currently approved settlements.

Casper said the state's approach, negotiated under former Attorney General Bob Ferguson, directs settlement funds to be split roughly 50-50 between the state and local governments, and that jurisdictions with populations above 10,000 qualified for a share under the "1 Washington" memorandum of understanding. "We do maintain full discretion over that," Casper said of the city's authority to allocate its share, while noting reporting and other requirements in the interlocal arrangements.

Why it matters: the settlement funds are restricted to opioid-related purposes under the 1 Washington MOU and the Pierce County interlocal agreement, but within that framework jurisdictions have discretion. Council members pressed staff for options and asked for a plan so the small but recurring revenue can be used where it yields most benefit locally.

Jennifer Hale, the city's public-safety administrator, told the council the city lacks an in-house human-services department and staff have been looking at practical uses the city could implement or partner on. She listed possible near-term areas of spending: field detection tools for first responders, Narcan supplies, training for parks and public-works staff who encounter people in distress, support for programs identified by first responders and the county's Unified Regional Approach to Homelessness, and possible support for the newly formed community court in University Place.

Council member Worthington, who represents University Place on the Pierce County opioid abatement council, told the council the city's projected total from all anticipated settlements could be in the neighborhood of $521,883 over roughly 17 years (about $30,000 per year), though he stressed that figure is an estimate and not guaranteed. He also described two broad approaches other jurisdictions have used: pooling resources to contract for services, and keeping funds local and deploying them directly. "We chose not to pool," Worthington said.

Several council members urged prioritizing training and life-saving interventions. Council member McCluskey said parks and public-works crews frequently encounter people in crisis and recommended rapid training and making Narcan available for staff. Hale confirmed police patrol cars already carry Narcan and said the city could purchase additional kits for other staff and arrange targeted training.

Council member Rolinkton and others emphasized looking for gaps in local services where the funds would be most effective, with suggestions including housing support for people exiting treatment, small rental or transitional housing vouchers, and coordination with nonprofit partners to administer assistance. The council discussed keeping the money in a dedicated, flexible fund to respond to opportunities as they arise.

Next steps: staff said they would follow up with the police chief and parks/public-works supervisors to identify training needs and potential Narcan acquisition, and report back. Council member Worthington said he will report on the council's discussion at the Pierce County opioid abatement council meeting on May 1.

No formal council action was required or taken at the meeting. The city attorney noted reporting requirements that accompany the funds and the role of the Pierce County opioid abatement council as a public information and review body.