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Hillsdale residents urge commissioners to reject Hope Harbor funding; board votes down opioid-committee recommendation
Summary
After extended public comment both for and against Hope Harbor, the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners declined the opioid-settlement committeerecommendation to provide up to $12,150 per month to Hope Harbor, voting down the measure 5-0. Prosecutor and citizens urged more scrutiny of proposed uses and program oversight.
Hundreds of minutes of public comment and a detailed review by the countyopioid-settlement committee left the Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners divided over a request to fund Hope Harbor, a local sober-transitional housing program. The full board rejected the committeerecommendation to provide up to $12,150 per month for 12 months to Hope Harbor; the clerk recorded the resolution as failing 5-0.
Supporters of the money said the funds come from nationwide opioid settlements, not local tax dollars. "The opioid lawsuit money does not come from taxpayer, it comes from a massive nationwide legal settlements paid by the pharmaceutical companies," said Kerry Stewart, board president of Haven House Dale, citing the program's contract terms and drug-testing protocols.
Opponents said the county should not subsidize an organization they described as poorly governed and subject to litigation. "We're not comfortable making public money the backstop for this organization's choices," Bruno Portes told commissioners, citing police and fire calls, missed deadlines and a pending lawsuit. Joshua White added that a large portion of the requested funds appeared to be earmarked for a directorsalary: "That's what this money is towards," he said.
Jamie Massey, the county prosecuting attorney, advised caution. After reviewing the proposal, she told the board the one-page plan submitted to the county lacked key elements and did not make clear that the requested use fit the opioid-settlement programcriteria. "For us to consider a program that has provided, from what I can tell, a one-page proposal that just outlines expenditures that total $12,000 a month without further inquiry does not seem like we are being good stewards of the funds," Massey said.
Hope Harborrepresentatives and supporters disputed the criticism and described the program as a sober-transitional facility that has helped people move into stable housing and recovery services. "We've helped over 350 people do that so far," said Jerry Brown, a Hope Harbor board member, who read client testimony and described coordination with hospitals and referral agencies.
The opioid-settlement committee had recommended the funding with conditions: monthly receipts, quarterly updates to the committee and a prohibition on using county funds to pay litigation costs. After a public exchange and a roll call, commissioners voted to deny the county-level expenditure.
What happens next: The opioid-settlement committee retains authority to recommend other uses of settlement dollars, and Hope Harbor's legal and program planning status remains under scrutiny. Commissioners and staff said the committee and county finance director will continue reviewing requests and the legal counsel indicated the city/county litigation timeline is still moving through the courts.
Speakers quoted: Bruno Portes (public commenter), Joshua White (public commenter), Jamie Massey (Prosecuting Attorney), Kerry Stewart (Haven House board president), Jerry Brown (Hope Harbor board member).
