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Las Cruces OKs contract to evaluate opioid-settlement programs
Summary
Council authorized contracting Pivot Evaluation LLC (via a county contract) to provide independent program evaluation and reporting for opioid-settlement funded services, up to $147,253, to align city and county metrics and reporting.
The Las Cruces City Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to use a county contract with Pivot Evaluation LLC to provide independent evaluation and reporting for programs funded from nationwide and state opioid settlement funds.
Donnie Pro Sais, purchasing supervisor, told the council the city expects to receive almost $10 million in opioid-settlement funds and that a unified, county-city evaluation is necessary ‘‘to ensure consistent metrics, shared reporting, and accountability across all contracted service providers.’’ The contract term could run through Nov. 30, 2029, and the city requested authorization not to exceed $147,253, including taxes and subject to approved budget appropriations.
Athena Huckaby, Dona Ana County’s special projects manager overseeing opioid-settlement expenditures, told the council the governing advisory committee would meet monthly and that staff could provide updates quarterly, with required annual reporting.
Council discussion focused on transparency and reporting cadence; staff said an online accountability chart is being updated to show revenues and anticipated expenditures, and that initial contract-related expenditures are not expected until July 1. The resolution passed on a roll-call vote with council members recorded in the affirmative.
Council documents cite contract availability through county contract number 26-165 and a two-year funding strategy adopted by the council on Aug. 18, 2025 (resolution 26-025). No amendments to the scope or dollar amount were made at the vote; council approved the authorization as presented.
