Laserfiche WebLink
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final January 9, 2024 <br />productive way, with the objective of long-lasting public safety. The allocated amount <br />for this proposal was $305,000. <br />Rayme Nuckles, Visionary Leader, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council <br />(TCHSC), proposed to provide housing for individuals struggling with Opioid Use <br />Disorder (OUD). This offer would be extended to those who have completed <br />inpatient rehab or have been released from incarceration after participating in jail <br />treatment programs. TCHSC claimed that they could provide up to 10 units of <br />housing, with each unit accommodating two people for a year. The allocated amount <br />for this proposal was $282,000. <br />Each Commissioner weighed in on the proposals presented; Chairman Adams <br />expressed her concern regarding the current programs that were being funded with <br />the opioid settlement dollars. She stated although these programs had been <br />successful, they were mainly designed for individuals involved in the legal system. <br />Chairman Adams stated that it was important to consider the needs of the wider <br />population while allocating funds for assistance programs. Currently, the County seem <br />to be distributing funds based on trial and error, without a clear understanding of <br />where they should be directed. While there may have been some success with certain <br />programs in the past, she further stated she was apprehensive about the sheriffs <br />request for $350,000. There was a need for detox beds in Indian River County, but <br />the need was for detox beds that were open to everyone, regardless of whether they <br />had been arrested or not. It was not the Board's goal to reallocate the funding, yet she <br />felt it was too early to fund the Sheriff s request as there were no cost estimates <br />available, and the program's financial burden was uncertain. <br />Commissioner Moss thought the Sheriffs treatment wing was a good idea. It was a <br />physical asset that could provide help to people for a longer period of time. Other <br />solutions may help individuals in the short term; having a permanent treatment wing <br />would make a lasting impact. <br />Commissioner Earman agreed with Commissioner Moss but would prefer more <br />details on the allocation of the $350,000 for the Sheriffs office. <br />With a motion on the floor, Attorney Bill DeBraal proposed increasing the allocation <br />for the Substance Awareness Counsel by $50,000, making the total allocation <br />$250,000. This would provide $100,000 for the needs study and $150,000 for jail <br />treatment, both of which were urgent needs. This had been requested by Ms. Lester <br />previously in her presentation <br />Indian River County Florida Page 16 <br />