Jackson County supervisors weigh using opioid settlement funds for sheriff staffing study

Jim Crocker presented a proposal to use opioid settlement funds to hire an independent firm to produce a five-year staffing plan for the sheriff’s department, saying an initial contract would cost about $34,000.

"I'm looking to access opioid settlement funds," Crocker told the board, describing study tasks that would include reviewing calls for service, current staffing levels and community canvassing. He cited examples such as a Scott County study and work by the National Policing Institute as comparable efforts.

Supervisors said the topic matters for budgeting and for first responders’ wellbeing but raised legal and audit questions about eligible uses of opioid settlement schedules. Don Smucker asked for more clarity on the schedules and whether a department-wide staffing study fits the narrowly defined settlement categories; one supervisor noted prior practices of using funds for treatment and prevention programs.

Board members requested that Crocker provide more documentation and examples of how similar jurisdictions have used settlement funds and asked staff to consult the county attorney. Crocker said he would refine the request and return with examples and a narrower scope if needed. The board did not make a final appropriation at the meeting and directed follow-up within a week or two.