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Committee approves amendment to opioid‑settlement contract with Keuka Addiction Recovery Services
Summary
Tompkins County authorized an amendment to a contract funded from the county opioid settlement allocation to support Keuka Addiction Recovery Services, including purchases for electronic medical-record capabilities and naloxone distribution.
Tompkins County’s Budget, Capital and Personnel Committee on Jan. 9 authorized an amendment to the county’s opioid‑settlement contract with Keuka Addiction Recovery Services (CARS) to fund a mix of program needs, including purchases to support electronic medical records and naloxone distribution.
Why it matters: Opioid settlement funds are distributed to local providers to support treatment, harm‑reduction and coordination. Committee members asked for clarification on line‑item uses after seeing a proposal that includes substantial funds for EMR software and a smaller allocation for naloxone (NARCAN).
What the committee heard: A legislator asked for clarification on the budget lines, noting roughly $10,000 was allocated for NARCAN and larger amounts were listed for EPIC electronic medical record (EMR) software and related hardware. Staff explained that some local nonprofits are using outdated systems that do not interoperate with hospital records; purchasing a modern EMR (EPIC was mentioned in committee discussion) would allow secure, HIPAA‑compliant information sharing among providers and hospitals. Committee members voiced that while the software purchase is costly, the grant mechanism made the upgrade possible without drawing from operating budgets.
Outcome: The committee voted unanimously to approve the contract amendment. The resolution record indicates the amendment will be administered through the county’s opioid settlement fund process and implemented by public‑health and contract administration staff.
Next steps: County staff will process the contract amendment and disburse funds under the established opioid settlement assignment and reporting rules.
