Manatee County forms Opioid Abatement Coordinating Council to guide settlement planning and compliance
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Summary
The board approved a resolution forming an Opioid Abatement Coordinating Council (OACC) to oversee opioid settlement planning and compliance. The seven-member council will include municipal mayors, public safety, nonprofit and lived-experience representation; commissioners confirmed the proposed roster and appointed Commissioner Amanda Ballard as the BOCC representative.
Manatee County commissioners on Dec. 16 voted to establish the Opioid Abatement Coordinating Council (OACC), a seven-member county-led governance body to guide how opioid-settlement funds are prioritized, planned and administered locally. The action included adopting a resolution and approving an amendment to the interlocal agreement with the City of Bradenton.
Staff said the council replaces a larger, more informal task force to meet statewide settlement eligibility and reporting requirements and to provide more focused, centralized oversight. The proposed composition includes one BOCC-appointed commissioner; the mayors of Bradenton and Palmetto; a law-enforcement representative (designated by the sheriff); academic expertise; a representative from NAMI Sarasota-Manatee; and Drug Free Manatee's executive director representing lived experience and community providers.
Andrew Kunkel, the county opioid-response coordinator, said the OACC is advisory: it will recommend evidence-based programs, monitor implementation and support compliance, but it will not itself disburse funds. The board confirmed the slate of appointees and designated Commissioner Amanda Ballard as the BOCC representative.
Ending: Staff will onboard council members and schedule an inaugural meeting in early 2026 to adopt bylaws and initial priorities to ensure continued settlement eligibility and to guide the county's opioid response investments.
