Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Approve Interlocal Agreement Governing Use of St. Lucie County Regional Opioid Settlement Funds
body
Submitted By: John A. Bolduc, Chief of Police
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of safe, clean, and beautiful.
Executive Summary (General Business): A crisis arose nationwide because of the manufacture, distribution, and over-prescribing of opioids and caused overdoses and addictions throughout the nation. The St. Lucie County Opioid Task Force was created in response to the increase in opioid-related drug misuse and deaths within the geographic boundaries of St. Lucie County.
Presentation Information: Staff will be available to respond if required.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Interlocal Agreement governing the use of St. Lucie County Regional opioid settlement funds.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the Interlocal Agreement.
2. Move that the Council provide staff direction.
Background: As a result of the national opioid crisis, many governmental entities throughout the country filed lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to hold them accountable for the damage caused by their misfeasance, nonfeasance, and malfeasance, as well as to recover monetary damages for past harm and financial compensation for ongoing and future abatement efforts. The lawsuits filed by the St. Lucie County, the City of Port St. Lucie, and the City of Fort Pierce and the County were consolidated with other lawsuits filed by state, tribal and local governmental entities into what is known as the National Prescription Opiate Litigation in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, case number 1:17-MD-2804.
The Attorney General has proposed entering into agreements with local governments within the State of Florida to receive Settlement funds. Local control over the settlement funds is in the best interest of all persons within the geographic boundaries of St. Lucie County and ensures that Settlement funds are available and used to address opioid-related impacts within St. Lucie County.
The State MOU requires that in order for St. Lucie County to become a Qualified County eligible to receive Regional Funding, there must be an interlocal agreement among St. Lucie County and Municipalities, as defined in the MOU, with combined population exceeding 50% of the total population of the Municipalities within St. Lucie County. St. Lucie County Regional Funding will be used in accordance with the requirements of the State MOU, and guidelines set forth by a board established by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners (hereinafter referred to as the “Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board”). The City will have a representative on the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board.
The term of this Agreement and the obligations commences upon the satisfaction of all condition’s precedent, runs concurrently with the State MOU, and will continue until one (1) year after the expenditure of all St. Lucie County Regional Funding, unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the provisions of the State MOU.
Issues/Analysis: N/A
Financial Information: The Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board will be responsible to review the programs and services of the beneficiaries of the St. Lucie County Regional Funds to determine the outcome of said programs and services, as well as funding priorities. St. Lucie County Regional Funding may be used to enhance current programs or develop new programs. Regional funding is not intended to supplant current funding sources and general funds, and County staff will continue to seek funding for opioid related abatement at the levels opioid abatement programs were funded as of the effective date of this agreement.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Attachments:
1. Interlocal Agreement governing the use of St. Lucie County Regional opioid settlement funds.
2. Exhibit A - Proposal Memorandum of Understanding
3. Exhibit B - Centralized, Countywide Competitive Grant Process
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 2938
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Lee J. Baggett, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.