Borger council OKs city vehicle for Aspire using opioid settlement funds to aid drug‑court transport

Borger City Council on Dec. 16 approved an agreement that uses opioid settlement funds to supply and maintain a city vehicle for Aspire, a local recovery support organization, to provide transportation for drug‑court participants and other clients.

Council discussion centered on transportation barriers for people in recovery. One council member argued that reliable vehicles, not volunteers, are the key gap: "The easiest way might be to just have the city purchase a car... likely we'll go ahead and provide one of the Equinoxes that we have on the lot so that they can get it sooner rather than later," the speaker said. Aspire will log trips and submit reports so staff can confirm the use aligns with allowed uses of the opioid settlement fund.

Supporters said volunteers and a peer‑support specialist known as Rico currently provide rides but sometimes lack dependable, legally compliant vehicles. The agreement calls for the city to supply an existing vehicle, designate a fuel card paid from the opioid fund, and handle maintenance through the city's service center. Council members noted the fund balance (about $49,000) and estimated annual settlement receipts (roughly $6,000–$7,500 after recent signings) that would support fuel and upkeep without creating a major recurring general‑fund obligation.

The motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded; council voted in favor on a voice vote.

The agreement requires Aspire to maintain usage documentation and to provide periodic reports showing client counts, miles driven and other service metrics. Council members framed the action as a time‑limited, gap‑filling use of restricted settlement dollars rather than a new long‑term city program.

Next steps: the mayor and mayor pro tem were authorized to execute the agreement and staff will provision the vehicle and fuel card and begin collecting usage data.