Spokane Valley authorizes interlocal with SRHD for opioid dashboard expansion, local needs assessment

The Spokane Valley City Council unanimously authorized the city manager Tuesday to execute an interlocal agreement with the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) to expand the countywide opioid dashboard and conduct a Spokane Valley needs assessment.

Gloria Mintz, city services administrator, told the council the city will use a portion of its opioid settlement proceeds—approximately $337,000 was received across five settlements—to fund several responses. The SRHD agreement itself is for roughly $47,000, Mintz said.

“This interlocal agreement will provide for the health district to expand their opioid dashboard and to conduct a needs assessment for Spokane Valley in regards to the opioid crisis,” Mintz said. She told the council Spokane Valley is currently the only jurisdiction pursuing the needs assessment under this agreement.

Councilmember Merkel pressed to add actionable items and an action plan to the needs‑assessment scope, asking whether council had directed staff to require “actionable needs identified, along with an action plan.” Mintz and city staff said they had not received direction to expand the scope from the prior meeting; a motion to add those items failed for lack of second.

After discussion, the council voted 6‑0 to authorize the city manager to execute the interlocal agreement. The agreement funds SRHD work on dashboard expansion and a needs assessment; staff will carry forward negotiated scope and return for any material changes.

No implementation schedule or deliverable dates were provided in the meeting discussion beyond staff assurance that staff negotiated the terms after earlier council consensus.