Bradford County commits opioid settlement funds to two substance‑use staff positions

The Bradford County Commissioners voted March 12 to adopt Resolution No. 2026‑05, committing opioid settlement funds to support two staff positions within the Bradford/Sullivan Single County Authority (SCA). The resolution, adopted unanimously, names a Drug & Alcohol Prevention Specialist and a Drug & Alcohol Case Management Specialist as roles to be funded "subject to the availability and allowable use of such funds under the opioid settlement agreements," the resolution states.

Commissioner Doug McLinko moved the resolution and Commissioner Zachary R. Gates seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The resolution explains the county has received funds through national opioid settlement agreements intended to support prevention, treatment, recovery and related efforts, and that the SCA currently uses settlement funds for the two positions.

County officials said the positions provide services including supporting people in treatment and recovery, connecting people who need help to services, and addressing needs of criminal‑justice‑involved persons. The resolution ties the county's commitment to the allowable terms of the settlement agreements and notes continued allocation is contingent on fund availability.

The adoption does not specify annual dollar amounts or hiring timelines in the minutes; the resolution records the county's policy commitment but directs implementation subject to the settlements' allowable uses. No public debate or amendments to the resolution are recorded in the minutes.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the resolution was adopted on March 12, 2026. Additional administrative or budgetary actions to implement the staff funding are not specified in the meeting record.