Council hears plan to use opioid‑settlement funds for vehicles and public‑safety response; restricted funds to support treatment and response

Beth Fields described proposed 2026 uses for opioid-settlement proceeds. The city has both unrestricted and restricted opioid funds as required by the settlement and state guidance.

For the unrestricted fund (2256), Beth said revenue projected for 2026 includes $60,035.67 (presented as $60,035,670 in the transcript; staff clarified that distribution amounts are planned across years). The presentation noted $100,001.48 in proposed appropriations to purchase two vehicles including equipment packages and decals. Beth said unrestricted funds carry no required usage restrictions and could be used for other lawful purposes (staff noted parks as a hypothetical example when asked by council).

For the restricted fund, the settlement enumerates eligible uses such as support for substance‑use disorder treatment, law‑enforcement response and community recovery programs. Beth said staff will bring an appropriation ordinance to council to use restricted funds for eligible police-response and support costs tied to substance‑use and emotional‑distress calls; the proposal ties a proportion of salary costs to call‑volume analyses showing the percentage of calls related to substance use.

Councilors asked how long distributions will continue and staff said the city expects multiple years of payments; Beth gave projected 2026 receipts for unrestricted and restricted accounts (figures stated in the meeting for planning purposes) and noted that attorney distribution streams are separate. Staff said they will return with appropriation ordinances for restricted‑fund uses.

Ending: Staff will prepare appropriation ordinances for restricted opioid funds to support police and allied response and will finalize unrestricted‑fund purchases as council directs.