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Lee County outlines opioid-settlement spending plan and proposes unlocking Exhibit B to fund treatment court
Summary
County staff recommended unlocking Exhibit B of the opioid-settlement framework so Lee County can fund additional strategies, including an adult treatment court, expanded naloxone distribution, youth prevention programs and public education; the update outlined $7.885M expected over 18 years and $3.1M received so far.
Lee County staff presented an annual update on opioid-settlement funds and a proposed move to unlock Exhibit B strategies, an action that would permit a broader set of funded options after a collaborative strategic-planning process.
Assistant County Manager Angelina Null described the countys current standing within the 18-year settlement: Lee County is expected to receive about $7,885,867 between 2022 and 2038, and has received about $3.1 million to date and spent just over $500,000. The county has adopted a five-year strategic plan (2024-2028) and previously funded high-impact strategies (Exhibit A) such as evidence-based treatment, post-overdose outreach and a part-time settlement coordinator.
Opioid-settlement coordinator Emma Bach explained that Exhibit B contains nearly 100 additional allowable strategies but requires a collaborative strategic-planning process (Exhibit C) to unlock and to set local metrics. Staff recommend unlocking Exhibit B to expand funding opportunities, specifically to support adult treatment court (modeled on an existing veterans treatment court with low recidivism), increase naloxone distribution, expand youth prevention programming and broaden public education efforts.
District Attorney Suzanne Matthews and Community Support Services staff described an existing partnership (pre-trial and re-entry services) and endorsed pursuing adult treatment court funding as an effective model that reduces recidivism and supports recovery. Matthews cited the veterans treatment court (an 18- to 24-month regional program) as proof of concept.
Commissioners asked about revenue timing, projections and reporting obligations. Staff explained the settlement pays out primarily earlier in the schedule, the county projects revenue conservatively (including interest), and some spending requires amendments to the strategic plan and approval steps to comply with MOA reporting. No formal Board vote to unlock Exhibit B occurred at the meeting; staff said a resolution would be presented to the board on June 1 for action.
