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Polk County approves provisional funding and IGAs to protect opioid settlement spending for accountability courts
Summary
Facing a delayed FY2023 audit and withheld state grant funds, Polk County approved provisional budget funding to its accountability courts and authorized Intergovernmental Agreements with Superior and Juvenile Courts to ensure opioid settlement funds are spent according to settlement terms.
Polk County commissioners on Sept. 3 approved a resolution to temporarily fund the county’s accountability courts from the landfill fund after a delayed FY2023 audit led the State to withhold grant disbursements. The board said the provisional funding will be returned to the landfill fund once the State releases the withheld grant funds.
To ensure the county’s use of opioid settlement proceeds aligns with settlement specifications, the board also approved Intergovernmental Agreements with Polk County Superior Court Judges Mark Murphy and Andrew Roper and an agreement with Juvenile Court Judge Deana Perry. County officials said the agreements are intended to ensure accountability courts spend opioid settlement funding in accordance with the mandates in the approved settlement documents.
Commissioner Ray Carter moved to approve the budget amendment and the Superior Court IGAs; Commissioner Jordan Hubbard moved the Juvenile Court IGA; all motions passed unanimously. The actions adjust the county’s FY2025 budget and create contractual terms establishing how opioid settlement money will be used by the courts. The meeting record does not show the text of the agreements nor specific line-item allocations; implementation will be managed by county finance staff and the courts under the terms of the signed IGAs.
Officials noted the provisional funding is temporary and contingent on the State completing the delayed audit and releasing the grant funds.
