Bay City approves $67,340 from opioid‑settlement funds for Sacred Heart recovery housing and services

The Bay City Commission approved a resolution to award $67,340 to Sacred Heart to support people with substance‑use disorders, drawing from the city's opioid‑settlement funds. Commissioner Tenney said the allocation is broken down in the resolution: about $15,000 for uninsured or underinsured residents for treatment, roughly $40,340 to cover a first (and possibly second) month of housing costs for residents without the ability to pay, and $12,000 for household supplies (food, hygiene and cleaning items).

Commissioners discussed the allowable uses of opioid‑settlement funds and the mechanics of distributing the remainder of the settlement allocation. Staff said the city will establish an application process, work with local nonprofit providers and that additional settlement distributions will arrive over multiple years. The city has previously used some opioid funds for an app and to purchase an overdose‑response rescue vehicle.

The resolution passed by roll call with all commissioners voting in favor. Several commissioners emphasized the desire to include smaller, community‑based providers in any future application process rather than limiting grants to established large organizations.

City staff and commissioners noted the county receives a larger allocation of settlement funds and is coordinating with the community foundation; the city will open a local application process for remaining funds.