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Commissioners discuss using opioid settlement funds for detox center, plan work session
Summary
Commissioners reviewed opioid settlement funding, discussed plans for a detox center and potential partnerships, and proposed a work session to develop a spending plan; staff said $1.4 million in settlement funds had been received to date.
Yamhill County commissioners discussed proposals to use opioid settlement funds to support a detox center and related programs, and asked staff to schedule a work session to develop a coordinated plan.
Commissioner King said she met with federal lawmakers and pitched priorities including a detox center and a radio tower; she said both Sen. Jeff Merkley’s and Rep. Val Hoyle’s offices expressed interest in helping. Commissioner Starett and other commissioners said the county already has funding and a plan and should move quickly to identify facility and procurement details.
County staff reported approximately $1,400,000 in opioid settlement funds received to date; no funds had yet been spent. Commissioners proposed a short series of follow-up meetings: a county meeting with McMinnville (which has roughly $472,000 in settlement receipts) is scheduled, then a work session in the weeks that follow to shape a program plan. Director Manfred and other Health & Human Services staff were noted as prepared to present program ideas and potential service partners.
Commissioners and staff discussed operational questions: facility availability (including possible county-owned buildings to vacate and reuse), procurement and leasing considerations, and potential partner organizations to run services. One private vendor (the Stedman Group) has pitched options; commissioners said the state/federal funding mechanism would pay for technical assistance and that hiring a consultant could be paid through the settlement/state grant route rather than county general funds.
Sheriff’s Office and Health & Human Services staff also discussed a deflection program the county launched Sept. 1: since that launch the sheriff’s office reported 94 referrals, 65 of which were eligible for deflection; 13 of those attended an HHS assessment within 14 days, and 8 are currently engaged in treatment. Commissioners said the deflection and detox efforts are complementary and recommended convening the work session soon to align funding and program design.
No formal board decision or spending authorization was made during the announcements; commissioners directed staff to return with specifics at a follow-up work session.
