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Carter County commissioners reserve $1.8 million from opioid settlement to back proposed regional treatment center
Summary
Judges and prosecutors asked commissioners to hold county opioid settlement funds while they develop a plan for a 12–16 month abstinence‑based residential treatment facility at the Roan Mountain work camp; commissioners unanimously voted to reserve $1,806,527.24 and to request a state transfer of the property for leasing.
Judges and prosecutors urging creation of a regional residential substance‑use treatment center won unanimous support from the Carter County Board of Commissioners, who voted to reserve the county’s opioid settlement payment of $1,806,527.24 while the plan is developed.
Mayor Patty Woodby introduced a delegation that included Judge Stacy L. Street, Judge Lisa Rice, Judge James F. Goodwin and Sullivan County District Attorney Gen. Berry P. Staubus. The presenters described an abstinence‑based, 12–16 month residential program intended for people whose crimes stem from addiction and asked the county to hold settlement proceeds until a formal proposal is presented.
“Recovery Court has been going on for 5 years now and it is making a difference,” Judge Street said, describing an expansion to a residential model at the Roan Mountain work camp that could accommodate as many as 180 beds. He contrasted estimated daily costs of roughly $30 per resident with incarceration costs he said are about $60–$70 per day.
Judge Lisa Rice said the model builds on proven programs and emphasized the program would exclude violent offenders and not rely on routine medication‑assisted treatment. "That means no Suboxone, no Methadone," she said, noting the program uses Vivitrol in Recovery Court and aims to pair treatment with employment and reentry supports.
Sullivan County District Attorney Gen. Berry P. Staubus urged caution in spending settlement money immediately. "This program will be innovative and will save lives," he said, and asked the commission to place the county’s award in an account for future use while the coalition completes a formal proposal.
Commissioner Travis Hill moved, with Nancy Brown seconding, to set aside the county’s $1,806,527.24 opioid settlement award as a vote of confidence in the project; Robert Acuff requested and secured an amendment to explicitly reserve the funds. The motion carried on an electronic vote of 21–0.
Separately, Ross Garland moved, seconded by Aaron Frazier, that the commission support transferring the Roan Mountain work camp from the Tennessee Department of Corrections to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse so the site could be leased to the proposed program; Attorney Josh Hardin was asked to draft a resolution to send to state lawmakers in Nashville. That motion also passed 21–0.
What happens next: county staff will place the settlement funds in a reserved account and Attorney Hardin will draft the resolution for the board to approve and forward to state lawmakers. Presenters said they will return with a written proposal and implementation details and requested participation from neighboring counties in the judicial districts that cover Carter and adjoining counties.
Provenance: Discussion and motions appear in the meeting record beginning at SEG 037 and concluding with the transfer/resolution motion at SEG 055.
