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Opioid advisory committee recommends paramedicine co‑responder pilot; commissioners weigh prevention and housing options
Summary
The Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee recommended using initial settlement dollars for a paramedicine co‑responder model pairing fire rescue and behavioral‑health staff; commissioners and community members supported the approach but also urged funding for prevention, supportive housing and recovery supports, and asked staff to return with a detailed plan and funding scenarios.
The City’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee presented initial priorities to the City Commission on Feb. 3 and recommended using available settlement funds to pilot a paramedicine co‑responder model in which fire rescue responds with a behavioral health professional or peer to coordinate care and link people to treatment and recovery services.
Assistant City Manager Jeff Horace explained the committee’s timeline and funding constraints: annual settlement receipts vary (estimated $62,000–$92,000 per year) and the city currently holds approximately $185,000 in those funds. Jeff Lefton, committee member, outlined two delivery options: hire a co‑responder embedded in Fire Rescue (for continuity and control) or contract with an outside provider (fixed price but potential coordination gaps). “The committee is seeking direction from the commission as to some of their initial list of priorities” so staff can attach dollar amounts and submit the annual plan, Lefton said.
Several speakers urged the commission to support paramedicine. Commissioner Markert said, “I’m in favor of the paramedicine program.” Deputy Vice Mayor Burns also endorsed paramedicine while noting the constraints of one‑time settlement dollars. A longtime recovery advocate recommended leveraging settlement dollars to also fund recovery supports, supportive housing and prevention programs in schools. Commissioner Cassell pressed for clarity about handoffs at hospitals and urged stronger prevention work focused on families and schools.
Staff told commissioners the city could likely fund a paramedicine pilot for a year or two with settlement funds but recommended blending settlement dollars with other city funds (including previously discussed “Karen” funds) and outside grants to sustain a broader approach. The commission asked the committee to return with a more structured plan, cost estimates and options that combine paramedicine, prevention and recovery supports before May so the city can adopt a plan to submit by July 1.
No final appropriation was made at the Feb. 3 meeting; commissioners directed staff to develop a funding/implementation plan for commission review.
