Justices advance sheriff’s opioid-response grant amendment after questions about Narcan, equipment and late filing

Pulaski County quorum court justices voted to send Ordinance 25I48 — an amendment to the sheriff’s Opioid Response Team grant appropriation — to the full court with a “due pass” recommendation after several justices pressed the sheriff’s office and county grant staff for details about spending, a $23,000 Narcan line item, and whether required milestones and reports have been submitted.

The matter was introduced by Justice Massey, who moved to forward the ordinance. Captain Mike Blaine of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office (Criminal Investigations Division) told justices the amendment shifts previously recognized salary dollars into maintenance and operations (M&O) so equipment can be purchased for the team. “What wasn’t processed was M&O, which was needed for equipment for the detective and the counselor that’s responsible for response to the OR team to abide by the guidelines of the grant,” Blaine said.

The discus…