Approve Interlocal Agreement Governing Use of St. Lucie County Regional Opioid Settlement Funds between St. Lucie County, the City of Port St. Lucie, the City of Fort Pierce, and the St. Lucie County Fire District.

The City of Fort Pierce received a letter from the County Administrator on June 1, 2021, including a copy of an April 13, 2021, letter from the Florida Attorney General addressing opioid litigation. St Lucie County was advised that a proposed "Regional Fund" will be awarded to counties with a population of at least 300,000 residents. St. Lucie County may be eligible to receive funding from the Regional Fund as a "Qualified County" due to its population exceeding 300,000. Additionally, a Qualified County must reach an agreement with the cities/towns that account for at least 50% of the county's population about the expenditure of these funds. The proposed Interlocal Agreement will enable St. Lucie County to become a Qualified County and directly receive Regional Funding.

The St. Lucie County Opioid Task Force was established to collect data on the type, extent, and nature of the opioid crisis in the county's communities and to offer recommendations on activities, actions, or strategies that should be undertaken to abate the opioid epidemic.
 
The BOCC will create an Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board to examine and analyze the data produced by the Opioid Task Force and to make recommendations to the BOCC on the funding of services and programs available to all citizens of St. Lucie County. The Advisory Board will be comprised of 7 members including one appointed by the City of Fort Pierce.

The proposed Interlocal Agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney and Chief of Police.

Staff recommends execution of the Interlocal Agreement.

Staff will proceed as directed by the City Commission.

Nicholas C. Mimms, City Manager

Tanya Earley, City Attorney
Diane Hobley-Burney, Chief of Police