Milton outlines use of opioid‑settlement funds; initial allocation proposed for AEDs and outreach

City staff briefed the Milton City Council on July 8 on the city’s implementation plan for opioid‑settlement funds received from county allocation of state settlement proceeds.

Jacob (identified in the meeting as the city’s GRAMA administrator) said the funds originated from settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers and were allocated to counties and then to cities. He described the packet material and the staff recommendation for how the first tranche of funds would be spent.

Jacob and other staff noted the plan the city submitted has been reviewed and approved by the state. “This is a use it or lose it situation,” Tim Spears told the council, adding that the city was required to provide an implementation plan to the state and that approved funds must be used for the purposes identified in the plan.

Staff proposed an initial allocation of $7,000 for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and related training and outreach; the city police and fire representatives consulted with regional partners to identify a common AED model to standardize equipment across emergency responders. Council members questioned the AED cost and were told staff consulted neighboring agencies to match devices used by responders.

Speakers emphasized that the settlement funds are earmarked for opioid‑related response, prevention, treatment and recovery activities and that the city will report expenditures according to the state‑approved plan. Staff characterized the item as informational; no formal council action was recorded during the work session.