Commission moves ahead on opioid-settlement spending, approves budget hearing transfers and VOA contract item
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Summary
At a public budget hearing commissioners approved transfers relating to opioid-settlement revenues, including a VOA Center of Health contract for treatment beds ($464,002.50), funding for a sheriff's canine program and consideration of nonprofit recovery housing and wraparound service proposals to be added to next week's budget agenda.
Fremont County commissioners on Jan. 6 advanced several proposed uses of opioid-settlement revenues during a public budget hearing, approving the hearing/transfer and discussing multiple program proposals.
The county reported a proposed contract for VOA Center of Health to provide treatment-service beds for $464,002.50. The sheriff's office asked to budget funds for a canine program — two dogs, training, travel and related supplies — and provided written materials explaining how the canine program ties to prevention and enforcement strategies. Lieutenant Regal of the sheriff's office offered supporting write-ups during the hearing.
County staff and commissioners discussed totals and accounting for the settlement funds. During the public hearing staff stated a total transfer figure of $301,770 (transcript contains discussion and clarification about totals and further numbers read aloud during the hearing). Commissioners moved and seconded the budget hearing item and approved it by voice vote.
Nonprofit Eagles Hope presented a separate opioid-abatement prevention proposal focusing on supportive housing and wraparound services; staff said Eagles Hope materials would be added to next week's budget agenda for further consideration. The board directed staff to include the organization’s materials for follow-up and to prepare budget documentation for consideration at the next meeting.
Staff also flagged internal budget adjustments for search-and-rescue and a Riverview Road construction contract that will be addressed in upcoming budget work sessions.
