SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval of Regional Opioid Settlement Committee Recommendation for Funding to the Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office (Budget Impact - Neutral; not to exceed $52,250)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Cheryl Butler |
Community Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On November 5, 2024, the Board approved the Interlocal Agreement to Monitor and Review the Expenditure of Opioid Settlement Funds between Marion County and Marion County Hospital District (MCHD), followed by a First Amendment on December 17, 2024. This agreement designates MCHD as the disbursement agent responsible for distribution, vetting, monitoring, and reporting of expenditures for regional opioid funds.
On June 16, 2026, the Board approved the 2026-2027 Marion County Regional Opioid Abatement Plan, which established five (5) funding priorities recommended by the Opioid Settlement Committee to include:
• Expansion of Warm Handoff Programs and Recovery Services
• Pregnant and Postpartum Women
• Connections to Care
• Support People in Treatment and Recovery
• Address the Needs of Criminal-Justice-Involved Persons
On October 7, 2026, the Opioid Settlement Committee reviewed and recommended approval of six (6) projects consistent with the approved priorities. Of these, two (2) are renewal projects previously funded, and four (4) are new projects. Each project will be presented to the Board for consideration as a separate agenda item.
One of the recommended new projects is the Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office, which supports Marion County’s diversion court programs, including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and Post-Adjudicatory Prison Diversion Drug Court. The project aligns with the “Address the Needs of Criminal-Justice-Involved Persons” funding priority by helping individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and co-occurring disorders access treatment and recovery services as alternatives to traditional criminal justice involvement. $50,000 in funding will support an Assistant Public Defender position dedicated to legal representation and participant advocacy to promote treatment engagement, reduce recidivism, and support long-term recovery.
The recommended award is $50,000, and in accordance with MCDH’s interlocal agreement with the County, a 4.5% administrative allocation is required, bringing the total recommended distribution to $52,250.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; not to exceed $52,250
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve the recommendation and authorize the Marion County Hospital District to issue agreements and distribute the approved funds to the Fifth Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office.
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