Judges Ask for Opioid‑settlement Funds for Treatment Programs; Board Tables Request Pending Budget Amendment

Circuit judges and court representatives asked the Adams County Board of Supervisors to allocate up to $50,000 from the county's opioid‑settlement funds to support local intervention and treatment services for diversion courts.

Judicial representatives told the board the county had roughly $98,000 currently available from opioid settlement distributions and that intervention courts are supplementing limited grant funding (the Administrative Office of Courts grant provided about $150,000 this year but program costs were projected higher). The judges said that additional one‑time support would help cover treatment providers and in‑patient placements that are not fully reimbursed by existing grants.

Board reaction: Supervisors asked for fuller financial detail and for a formal budget amendment showing the requested expenditure and its source. County finance staff said the settlement proceeds arrive in installments and that the county must ensure cash balances across related funds so it does not create negative year‑end balances. Several supervisors proposed splitting the request (for example, approving part now and evaluating remaining funds six months later).

Action taken: The board did not appropriate funds at the meeting and directed the judges and court staff to submit a formal budget amendment and supporting paperwork for consideration at the next meeting. The board asked finance to confirm current opioid‑settlement balances and projection of expected receipts before any appropriation.

Ending: The request was effectively tabled to allow legal, accounting and cross‑court coordination on how the county can responsibly allocate settlement proceeds without creating budgetary shortfalls.