Stilwell approves joining county effort to pursue opioid-settlement funds and signs letter of understanding

Stilwell City Council on Feb. 5 approved a letter of understanding to participate in an opioid-settlement grant application in coordination with county officials and SG Municipal and Media LLC. Speaker 4 explained that county-level coordination could increase available funding by combining population tiers and that the county approved a related contract earlier the same day.

Speakers described the funding's allowable uses as opioid-related treatment and education. Speaker 4 and other officials emphasized that the grant could support services aimed at diverting people from jail into mental-health or treatment options: “we have an issue with folks sometimes sitting in jail that probably shouldn't be in the jail,” Speaker 4 said, arguing some need mental-health care rather than incarceration. The council discussed whether a joint municipal/county agreement would affect eligibility; staff said the city’s existing agreement to use the county jail would help position the city to coordinate services if the grant is awarded.

Council members discussed the potential award amounts by population tier (transcript reference to roughly $75,000 per jurisdiction in the tier) and a county-level approach that could allow larger combined requests (Speaker 4 noted $150,000 as a more useful sum than $75,000). Staff advised the application deadline is March 8, 2024. The motion to approve the letter of understanding and participate in coordinated applications carried following a motion and roll-call vote.

What happens next: staff and county partners will prepare and submit the grant application by the March 8 deadline. If awarded, planned uses discussed included jail-based support personnel and coordination with treatment providers; exact program design would be finalized later and subject to available funds.