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Board directs use of state opioid settlement regional funds for jail mental-health services and ambulance equipment
Summary
Okeechobee County approved the FY 2026 implementation plan for state opioid-settlement regional funds (nonqualified counties) and directed continuation of jail mental-health staffing through the regional managing entity and proposed purchase of an auto-load stretcher for EMS.
The Okeechobee County commission approved staff recommendations for use of state opioid-settlement regional funds allocated to the county through the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network, the county’s managing entity for the nonqualified-county regional fund.
Jessica (presenting staff) told commissioners the county has received $885,674 to date from the state settlement regional fund and expects $310,461 for state fiscal year 2026 under the nonqualified-county allocation. Staff recommended continuing mental-health services in the county jail through the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (case managers/counselors and a jail-inmate program) rather than hiring personnel directly into the sheriff’s office. The board agreed to continue the jail mental-health program under the managing entity.
Chief and staff also requested an auto-load stretcher and related ambulance equipment for Fire Rescue; commissioners directed staff to include that purchase in the proposed FY2026 implementation plan for regional funds. Staff noted the state fiscal-year timing of funds and that any unspent FY2026 allocation would carry forward to subsequent state fiscal years.
The board voted unanimously to provide direction on the regional fund and to approve the FY2026 implementation plan as presented.
Ending: Staff will work with the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network to execute cost-reimbursement agreements and will include the allocated items in the county’s grant-tracking and budget documents.
