Kingman council directs staff to pursue grant program and partnerships for opioid settlement funds

The Kingman City Council voted Feb. 28 to proceed with staff recommendations for programming the city’s opioid‑settlement monies, directing staff to implement a grant‑based approach and partnerships with local treatment providers.

City Manager Tina Moline told the council the nationwide settlements total about $45 billion and "we will collect about $2,000,000" for the city over the settlement period; she said the city has received $643,000 so far. Staff proposed using a sizable portion of the funds for a two‑year, reimbursement‑based grant program to sustain and expand local treatment and prevention services. "One of the ideas could be about $1,500,000 in a grant program," Moline said.

Revive Behavioral Health CEO Kristen Ott addressed the council about capacity and services. Ott said Revive operates a 90‑bed residential facility in Bullhead City and is preparing to open a 46‑bed residential facility in Kingman; she told the council Revive has admitted 1,500 individuals to date and maintains an alumni network of about 500. Ott said the Kingman residential center’s opening was awaiting final insurance access approval and that an average length of stay at Revive is about 90 days.

Staff outlined grant considerations: an open solicitation, tiered awards (suggested examples included two awards up to $100,000 and four awards up to $25,000), quarterly reporting, and reimbursement‑based disbursements. Staff also proposed modest recurring allocations for outreach events (citing $5,000 per year for an event called Walk Away From Drugs) and training for police and fire personnel.

Councilmembers discussed whether opioid settlement funds could temporarily replace or supplement a delayed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award for the Jerry Ambrose Veterans Center. Staff said Mohave County had previously awarded money to the veterans center and that the city’s opioid‑settlement eligibility would likely allow support for that project if council chose to do so; staff also said a formal solicitation for construction had not yet been issued and could include conditional language related to external funding.

After discussion, Councilmember Walker moved to proceed with the plan "as presented." The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. Council direction included implementing a grant program, coordinating with Mohave County’s grant experience, and returning annual reports on program performance.