ROSWELL NEW MEXICO
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Item No. 26.
Regular City Council Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 03/12/2026
COMMITTEE:
Legal
CONTACT:
C. Josh Nairn-Mahan
CHAIR:
Will Cavin
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of contract, or one substantially similar, between Lifehouse Carlsbad and the City of Roswell for the Provision of Opioid Abatement / Treatment Services. (Cavin/Yntema)
BACKGROUND:
Initiated by: Hessel Yntema
The City of Roswell has received over $2,000,000.00 in settlement money related to class action lawsuits regarding Opioids and done nothing with it for years. These funds may only be used for specific Opioid recovery purposes. LifeHouse is a nonprofit organization that focuses on and has been active in southeastern New Mexico; successfully utilizing a holistic approach in treating substance abuse, and in particular Opioid abuse. In 2023, Lifehouse was awarded a bid for Opioid Crisis Services in Eddy County, and their program has been successful to date. Roswell seeks to take advantage of this successful arrangement in Eddy County and tailor it to Roswell’s needs.
The City of Roswell has received over $2,000,000.00 in settlement money related to class action lawsuits regarding Opioids and done nothing with it for years. These funds may only be used for specific Opioid recovery purposes. LifeHouse is a nonprofit organization that focuses on and has been active in southeastern New Mexico; successfully utilizing a holistic approach in treating substance abuse, and in particular Opioid abuse. In 2023, Lifehouse was awarded a bid for Opioid Crisis Services in Eddy County, and their program has been successful to date. Roswell seeks to take advantage of this successful arrangement in Eddy County and tailor it to Roswell’s needs.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION
The total agreement has a value of $1.8 million dollars, $75,000.00 less than the initial budget allocation.
LEGAL REVIEW:
Drafted by the City Attorney and City Manager
BOARD AND COMMITTEE ACTION:
The Legal Committee recommended approval 4-0 at its meeting on February 26, 2026.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
City management believes that this is a prudent way to spend Opioid funds in a way that will lead to improved health outcomes for the community, lead to long-term job creation in the medical field, and lead to the occupancy of the DOH building at ROW, which has sat vacant for years.