Lyon County Commissioners have declared their intent to participate in a state program to combat opioid addiction.
Commissioners approved signing a memorandum of understanding Thursday morning to participate in the Kansas Fights Addiction Act which stems from Kansas House Bill 2079 in an effort to govern the distribution of funds allocated to the state through federal opioid litigation. Thursday’s action will allow the county to utilize those funds once they are allocated from the state.
Commissioner Doug Peck, a former law enforcement officer, says in his experience, opioid abuse has not been prolific within Lyon County.
However; Peck says just because it is not a major issue at this time, does not mean it cannot become one. As such, he says the commission felt it was pertinent to sign on to the act as a preventative measure.
The county’s action follows similar action by Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday afternoon. Emporia Mayor Rob Gilligan says while it may not be prolific locally, opioid abuse is an issue that has been a major focal point for state and national leadership for decades.
Per House Bill 2079, 75 percent of all funds received through said litigation will go to the state with 25 percent to be split amongst participating municipal governments. In order to receive these funds, municipalities must certify it has incurred more than $500 in costs related to substance abuse, agree to utilize any funds for approved purposes and waive any current or future claims to the opioid litigation.
The exact amount of funding coming to both the county and the city is not yet known as an MOU for the program is still being negotiated at the federal level.
In other business, commissioners approved an amount of $14,000 to be used for a “holiday gift benefit” for all county employees. The approved funds will be used to gift all county employees with a $50 gift certificate redeemable at local retailers.
Commissioners also unanimously approved the abatement of delinquent taxes for property sold during the annual Lyon County Sheriff’s Department sale.
The Lyon County Commission will reconvene for its weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
