Trumbull County approves $200,000 in opioid-settlement funds for jail recovery programs after brief debate

The Board of Trumbull County Commissioners on June 24 approved using $200,000 from opioid-settlement proceeds to pay recovery programs currently operating in the Trumbull County Jail.

The board’s motion, which passed by roll call, directs opioid funds to programs that are now funded by the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board. The agenda item said the award will be used for recovery services operating inside the jail.

A commissioner asked whether children’s services should receive part of settlement funds — saying the county could expect roughly $94,000 for that department — and urged the board to consider an earlier vote to allocate money to children’s services. Another commissioner argued it would be premature to change allocations now because anticipated revenue impacts may not affect departmental funding for a year or more, and opening allocation decisions early could prompt other departments to expect changes.

The chair asked the board to vote on the posted motion and defer broader allocation discussions to a later agenda item so the immediate funding for jail recovery services could be decided. The motion passed unanimously.

What happens next: The vote implements the $200,000 allocation for recovery programming at the jail; commissioners said they will consider any separate decisions about directing settlement funds to children’s services at a later date.

Authorities and references: The agenda item listed the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board as the current payer of the recovery programs. No statute or ordinance was cited in the discussion.

Ending: The board approved the motion and continued through the remainder of the agenda.