Sedgwick County and Wichita form joint committee to advise on opioid settlement funds

Sedgwick County commissioners on May 14 approved a joint resolution with the City of Wichita to create the Wichita–Sedgwick County Addiction Intervention Coalition, a joint advisory body that will review requests for proposals and make recommendations on use of local opioid settlement funds.

The coalition, approved after a 4–1 vote, will advise both governing bodies on allocation of settlement dollars received under agreements negotiated by the Kansas attorney general’s office. Commissioners then approved an 11‑member slate of advisors that county and city managers compiled, including treatment providers, an academic representative and a law enforcement member.

The coalition’s stated responsibilities include advising on an implementation strategy aligned to a regional opioid strategic plan; assisting city and county staff in preparing requests for proposals and evaluating responses; monitoring programs that receive opioid settlement funds; and recommending allocations back to each governing body for final approval.

Justin Wagner, Sedgwick County counselor, told commissioners the settlements and distribution mechanism are complex and that the county previously entered an MOU with the Kansas attorney general’s office. “Twenty‑five percent of the settlement funds that the attorney general receives are divided up between cities and counties,” Wagner said, describing how municipalities participate and receive their shares through state processes.

County staff and commissioners said the combined Wichita–Sedgwick approach was intended to pool resources and fund larger, coordinated programs rather than have the city and county spend separately. Lindsay Perrisso, Sedgwick County chief financial officer, said the county expects about $14–15 million overall from the settlements between both entities, with a portion already received and held in a dedicated fund. Perrisso reported the county’s current balance from prior settlement payments is roughly $2.5 million.

Supporters argued the coalition will bring subject‑matter expertise to distribution decisions and help ensure grant processes, performance measures and compliance with state law. Commissioner Meitzner moved to adopt the joint resolution; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote: Commissioner Bluebaugh, aye; Commissioner Wise, aye; Commissioner Howe, no; Commissioner Meitzner, aye; Chairman Ryan Beatty, aye.

Opposition came from Commissioner Bluebaugh, who said he favored a faster, more centralized distribution model and urged the county to take a leading role rather than creating an advisory board that he said could slow funding. “I don’t think this plan is necessary,” he said during debate and later announced he would vote no. Other commissioners said the coalition’s review and public input would help target funding to evidence‑based substance‑use treatment and related services.

After approving the coalition’s creation, commissioners approved the coalition’s initial membership list. The 11 recommended members include representatives from treatment providers, academia, veterans services, recovery organizations and law enforcement; the board also designated a county commissioner as an ex officio, nonvoting member. The appointments passed unanimously on roll call.

Under the joint structure, any disbursement advised by the coalition still requires formal approval by the Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners and the Wichita City Council. County legal staff said the county sought guidance from the attorney general’s office and that counsel for both the city and county would advise the coalition on compliance and allowable uses.

Next steps: coalition bylaws will be drafted, the coalition will help design any RFPs for programs funded by the opioid settlements, and the county will report back periodically on recommended awards and monitoring. Commissioners and staff emphasized that all expenditures must comply with state law and the terms of the settlements; the county has placed settlement proceeds in a dedicated fund to track them separately from the general fund.

Votes at a glance

- Joint resolution creating the Wichita–Sedgwick County Addiction Intervention Coalition (Item H): motion to adopt by Commissioner Meitzner; roll call — Bluebaugh: aye; Wise: aye; Howe: no; Meitzner: aye; Beatty: aye. Outcome: approved. - Appointments to the coalition (Item I): motion to approve initial 11‑member advisory roster; roll call — unanimous. Outcome: approved.

Sources: Sedgwick County Board of County Commissioners meeting transcript, May 14, 2025; Sedgwick County staff presentations and roll‑call votes recorded on the meeting record.