Council approves supplemental appropriation to spend opioid‑grant funds on juvenile court probation officer and related services

The Edmond City Council approved a supplemental appropriation of $74,884.68 to spend opioid‑grant funds on mental‑health initiatives and related services, including the hire of an additional probation officer to serve the juvenile court system. City staff said the funds had been received in September 2024 and must be appropriated into the proper fund before the city can expend them; the council approved the measure unanimously.

A staff member introduced the item and said the city holds opioid grant receipts until there is an appropriate expenditure. “We received this money in September of 2024 and while we did budget $100,000 of it for various contract services, it was decided we’re hiring an additional probation officer for a juvenile court system,” Christie Batterson, director of housing and community resources, told the council.

Batterson explained the city moved the position’s costs into the dedicated “opiate grant monies” fund to make accounting and state reporting cleaner and easier to separate from court personnel costs. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about timing and why the item required a supplemental appropriation early in the fiscal year; staff said the payment timing and a late decision about personnel caused the need for the amendment.

A motion to approve the supplemental appropriation passed by a unanimous vote. Staff said the appropriation will allow the city to contract for services and proceed with the planned hire consistent with the opioid grant terms and state reporting requirements.