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William K. DeBraal, County Attorney Susan J. Prado, Deputy County Attorney K. Keith Jackman, Assistant County Attorney /34, Office Of Attorney's Matters 02/20/2024 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMORANDUM ATTORNEY TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator FROM: William K. DeBraal, County Attorney DATE: February 12, 2024 SUBJECT: Opioid Settlement Proceeds to 19th Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program BACKGROUND. On June 15, 2021, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners ("Board") approved a proposed Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the State of Florida Attorney General's Office that serves as the allocation agreement between the State of Florida and the local governments on the settlement of various opioid cases. As part of the MOU, money would go into a City/County Fund, a Regional Fund and a State Fund. In December 2022, Indian River County received $139,604.16 from the State of Florida for its portion of the City/County Fund. The large class action settlement recently allotted by the Board at its meeting of January 9, 2024, was from the manufacturers of the various opioids, namely Purdue Pharma. On April 4, 2023, the Board voted to have the County Attorney's Office work with Commissioner Loar as a liaison and focus using the proceeds from the opioid settlements on the alternative court programs, mental health court and drug court, and coordinate with other sister agencies, such as the Hospital District. Subsequent meetings with Judge Cox, Judge Menz and Judge Stone were held and as a result of those meetings, the judges recommended using the proceeds on assessment, treatment, testing and wrap around services, such as housing and transportation for participants in the alternative court programs. On May 17, 2023, the Indian River County Hospital District Board of Trustees discussed this matter and voted unanimously in agreement with the recommendation to use the proceeds on assessment, treatment, testing and wrap around services for the alternative court programs. The County has since received funds from the Walmart/Walgreens/CVS class action settlement in the amount of $305,751.08. In conversation with Chief Judge Schwab and Wendy -Parent, 19th Judicial Circuit Senior Court Operation Consultant, the need for opioid assessment, treatment, testing and wrap around services, remain in great demand. The Drug Court has exhausted last year's funding with a very satisfactory success rate. The 19th Judicial Circuit has again requested that the retail settlement funds be distributed to them and staff agrees with the request. Any amount 223