EMS requests $38,500 from opioid settlement funds; Public Health sends issue to Public Safety committee

Community Services Director K. Dryja told the Public Health Committee that Wyoming County holds opioid settlement monies in three categories—regional (OASIS), restricted (for example, jail medications), and committed (not yet assigned)—and that roughly $270,000 has been set aside. The County Ambulance Service submitted its top three requests to the Community Services Board; those three requests total $38,500. Dryja said the Community Services Board has agreed to the ambulance service's top requests but emphasized her preference to use funds for mental-health programs and services when possible.

The committee did not vote to allocate funds at the July 29 meeting. Members requested further discussion with the Director of Fire and Emergency Management, B. Meyers, at the Public Safety Committee (scheduled for July 30), and directed remaining opioid settlement funds to continue to be managed through Mental Health. The record shows no formal appropriation of the $38,500 at this meeting.