Chico council approves opioid‑settlement match for Jesus Center recovery facility

The Chico City Council voted unanimously April 7 to authorize opioid‑settlement funds as a grant match for a proposed 16‑bed substance use disorder treatment facility the Jesus Center intends to build at its Fair Street campus.

City manager Mark Sorensen told the council the Jesus Center received a conditional award from the California Department of Health Care Services and that the local match required is $651,376. He said opioid settlement dollars can only be used for items such as construction of treatment‑related projects or operation of those facilities.

Council members supported the proposal as an appropriate use of settlement funds. Council member O’Brien called it “a very appropriate use of this money,” citing the local track record of the Jesus Center and the urgency of treatment capacity. Council member Winslow, noting high local demand, moved to approve and the motion passed 7–0.

Council members and staff emphasized that the funds are opioid‑settlement dollars, not general fund or Measure H revenue, and that the approval includes a budget supplemental appropriation to cover the match. The council also noted that approving the match does not remove other ongoing commitments — the city will continue prior commitments to the sobering center, Sorensen said.

The resolution authorizes the city manager and finance staff to appropriate the opioid settlement funds and execute steps needed to satisfy the conditional grant award; staff will return with any final required documents once the award is finalized.