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Lincoln Heights council hears first reading of temporary appropriation; questions on opioid-settlement funds
Summary
Councilmembers reviewed Ordinance 2025-02, a temporary appropriation to cover the first quarter of fiscal 2026, and asked how $14,000 in opioid-settlement funds could be used locally. Village manager said the money is distributed via county settlement and typically awarded to established nonprofits or programs addressing substance use disorder.
Councilmembers in Lincoln Heights on Monday reviewed a first reading of Ordinance 2025-02, a temporary appropriation intended to fund the first quarter of the village’s 2026 fiscal year and bridge to permanent appropriations next year.
Manager Gaines Brown said the ordinance is intended to “forecast for the expenses for the first [quarter] of fiscal 2026” and allow the village to operate into the new year while staff completes the full budget process. He said more detailed budget deliberations will take place in 2026 and that the measure before council is an initial, temporary framework.
Councilwoman Laverne Mitchell asked specifically about the village’s share of opioid-settlement funds and how residents could access services with that money. Mitchell asked, “The, of the opioid settlement fund…what can be done with those funds?” Manager Gaines Brown responded that the settlement funds have been dispersed to municipalities through Hamilton County and “could be used through, for various purpose, any type of programming, resources, services, for the residents of Lincoln Heights, that are currently, dealing with or suffering from, any type of substance abuse disorder.” He added that such funds generally are awarded to an existing nonprofit or program that provides recovery services and that the village would need to identify or partner with an established organization.
Council members also questioned line items tied to property-tax collection fees. Brown explained that the appropriation includes a front-loaded fee for tax-collection services covering the early part of the tax season, noting the first three months’ collection-fee estimate was about $8,100 and that the full year’s collection-fee expense could be roughly double that amount.
Mayor Rue McKenzie Mumphrey and council agreed the temporary appropriation will return for fuller review in finance committee or a regular council meeting before a final adoption. No vote on the ordinance occurred Monday; Brown said staff will provide additional detail at upcoming finance meetings.
