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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final December 3, 2024 <br />[Clerk's Note: Vice Chairman Loar exited the meeting at 2:27p.m.] <br />C. Commissioner Susan Adams <br />15.C.1 24-0974 Opioid Task Force Update <br />Recommended Action: Request Discussion and Support. <br />Attachments: Commissioner's Memo <br />Indian River County- Task Force Recommendation <br />Commissioner Adams highlighted the opportunity to utilize opioid settlement funds <br />to tackle the root causes of the opioid crisis effectively. She intended to refine the <br />allocation process by adopting best practices from organizations like the National <br />Association of Counties. She proposed that the Indian River County Opioid and <br />Substance Use Task Force focus on developing a thorough response plan <br />encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Additionally, the <br />task force would prioritize funding based on local assessments, advise the Board <br />on resource management, facilitate cross -sector collaboration, and monitor the <br />effectiveness of funded programs to improve strategies. <br />She stated that the Opioid and Substance Use Task Force in Indian River County <br />would unify key organizations addressing opioid issues. Thrive would serve as a <br />coordinating agency without voting rights. Voting members would be appointed <br />from various sectors, including representatives from the Indian River County <br />Hospital District, School District, Health Department, Federally Qualified Health <br />Center, Cleveland Clinic, local law enforcement, Emergency Services, mental <br />health, community resources, substance use treatment, and an individual with lived <br />experience of substance use disorder. <br />Commissioner Adams sought input from the Board on managing opioid funds, <br />advocating for a structured approach. The Board considered her suggestion to <br />merge the active Public Safety Coordinating Council with a health -focused council <br />instead of forming a new one, noting the importance of addressing <br />substance -related issues to reduce the county jail population. The discussion <br />emphasized the need to shift funding toward prevention initiatives that aid <br />individuals and organizations before legal involvement, as current funds were <br />primarily directed toward jail and court programs. The plan included revitalizing <br />the inactive council to address opioid issues and ensuring a diverse committee <br />adhered to best practices. Chairman Adams planned to work with County <br />Attorney Jennifer Shuler to present a more straightforward proposal to the Board <br />to update the councils, which currently lack vital representation from Fire Rescue <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 26 <br />