SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval to Submit the 2025-26 Marion County Opioid Abatement Plan to the Department of Children and Families (Budget Impact - None)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Cheryl Butler, Director |
Community Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
The State of Florida, along with multiple Florida cities and counties, including the City of Ocala and Marion County, participated in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL No. 2804). As a result of this settlement, the State established two funding streams: (1) regional opioid settlement funds, overseen locally by the Regional Settlement Committee established under the Interlocal Agreement approved by the Board on March 1, 2022, and (2) direct allocations to individual counties and municipalities.
The State of Florida designated the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to oversee both funding streams and requires each recipient to submit an annual Opioid Abatement Plan outlining how the settlement funds will be utilized in accordance with the State’s approved guidelines.
In addition to participating in the regional settlement process, Marion County receives a direct allocation of funds to address local opioid-related priorities. The proposed 2025-26 Marion County Opioid Abatement Plan (County Direct Allocation) reflects the County’s strategy for utilizing its local share of settlement funds in alignment with the overall objectives of the State Settlement Plan and complementary to the Regional Opioid Abatement Plan approved by the Regional Settlement Committee on June 12, 2025.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
None
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve submission to DCF of the 2025-26 Marion County Opioid Abatement Plan and authorize the Chairman and Clerk to execute all necessary documents associated with the plan.
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