Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Opioid Settlement Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Court approves opioid-settlement grants to expand harm-reduction services; some commissioners voiced objections to needle-exchange elements
Summary
Bexar County approved two opioid-settlement-funded agreements—one to San Antonio Nexus Connection and one to Song Ministries Inc.—to expand harm-reduction services; Commissioner Moody objected to some harm-reduction components but the court approved both agreements.
Bexar County Commissioners Court on May 13 approved two agreements funded from the county’s opioid settlement fund to expand harm-reduction services in the community.
The court voted to grant up to $488,000 (text in agenda read as $489,100 but staff confirmed total not to exceed $488,000) to San Antonio Nexus Connection and up to $35,000 to Song Ministries Inc. The agreements were presented as one consideration and approved after a motion by Commissioner Calvert and a second by Commissioner Rodriguez.
Commissioner Moody said he supported treatment and recovery services but had concerns about explicit harm-reduction activities included in the agreements, such as needle exchanges and distribution of “safe kits.” Moody said he would have preferred those components to be excluded from the county-funded contracts, but the court approved the funding as presented.
Dr. Guerrero (county staff) was listed by the clerk as associated with these items for presentation; staff clarified the funding would come from the opioid settlement fund and cover a one-year performance period beginning on the date of execution.
The court’s approval authorizes the county to execute the agreements and to make the necessary budgetary transfers to fund the awards from the opioid settlement account. Commissioners did not specify further amendments or programmatic changes during the public discussion.
The motions passed without recorded opposition.
