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Washington County approves $2,000 from opioid-settlement funds for Project Lifesaver
Summary
The Washington County commissioners voted to release $2,000 from unrestricted opioid-settlement funds to Project Lifesaver to purchase tracking bracelets and starter kits after the JWREC board recommended the allocation; vote was by voice and the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.
Washington County commissioners approved releasing $2,000 from previously appropriated opioid-settlement funds to Project Lifesaver, a program that provides tracking bracelets and equipment for people who may wander, the board heard.
A county official explained the settlement funds arrive to states and are distributed to counties in portions, and said some of the money is restricted to opioid-specific programs while other portions are unrestricted. "Some of the money is restricted funds, meaning it has to be used for programs that are actually, in some relation, being used for people who have opioid issues," the official said during the meeting.
Joe Keltner, representing Project Lifesaver, told commissioners the program currently has seven active kits and two spare units but has seen an "influx of phone calls" asking to add more participants. He described a starter kit as coming with 12 bracelets and a transmitter and estimated the cost of a starter kit at "about between $400 and $500." "With some funding here, with your help, we could buy some and have them set again prepared for when somebody wants to be put on the program," Keltner said.
Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to release the funds and the chair seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote. Meeting remarks noted the funds were already appropriated and the board's action was to authorize their release for Project Lifesaver.
The discussion immediately led into questions about jail programs and reentry supports; a county official described in-jail substance-abuse classes funded through a community corrections grant, GED classes, and a rehabilitation program called "Thriving," and said court orders typically determine release and probation conditions. The county official said restricted funds must be used for opioid-related programs, while unrestricted opioid-settlement funds may be used more broadly.
Next steps: the commissioners authorized release of the $2,000; the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or a precise tally by name.
