Supervisors approve up to $1,000 in opioid-settlement funds for 200 community resource guides

Jefferson County supervisors voted to spend up to $1,000 from opioid-settlement funds to print 200 community resource guide booklets intended to connect residents with local services.

The request came from the county's opioid committee, which recommended the condensed guides as a paper complement to online resources for residents who lack reliable internet access. "We would like 1000 dollars, please, and thank you," said Speaker 6 during the committee report. Committee members said the guides will include food, health care, mental-health and other local referrals and that printing locally will cost roughly $4 per guide.

Speaker 3 moved to approve printing 200 booklets and set the authorization at up to $1,000 from the opioid-settlement account. Speaker 1 seconded the motion and the board voted aloud (ayes) to carry it. Speaker 6 said the health department would store county copies and coordinate distribution, with additional copies sent to the hospital, jail, library and other community partners.

County officials noted the guide will also exist online but argued hard-copy copies are necessary for residents without internet access. They said if demand is greater than anticipated the committee may return with another request. The county plans to print locally and submit an invoice for payment following production.

The authorization directs staff to pay up to $1,000 from opioid-settlement funds for up to 200 copies; timing for printing and distribution was not specified at the meeting.