Recovery program asks council for $200,000 from opioid settlement after facility repairs

Representatives from a local recovery program referred to in the meeting as “the embassy” asked the Sedalia City Council to include an additional $200,000 of opioid‑settlement funding in next year’s budget to complete repairs and renovations at two program properties.

An unnamed program executive said the group had an original request of $150,000, had billed the city $60,995.53 to date and reported $89,004.47 of work in progress for foundation and other repairs. The executive described improvements already underway—new roof, soffits and foundation work—and said the additional $200,000 would fund remaining plumbing, heating, windows, egress repairs and apartment renovations.

An alumni, identified as Aaron, gave a personal testimony about recovery: “I am over 2 years sober...None of this would have been possible without the embassy's care and the foundation to help me rebuild,” he said, and staff described the typical client pathway as three months in an intake house followed by time in a second residence with more privacy. Council members asked about program capacity (21 beds across two buildings), average lengths of stay (three months in intake, six months total reported) and whether opioid‑settlement funds could be used for the work; staff replied opioid funds in question were eligible for such uses and that roughly $256,000 of opioid‑settlement money remained uncommitted.

Following questions, a councilmember moved and a second was recorded to include the request in next year’s budget; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

What’s next: The council said the request will be folded into next year’s budget process for final appropriation.