Board approves $444,462 FY2027 budget for Lake County Drug Treatment Court funded by opioid settlement

Deputy Chief John Simpson, representing the county opioid task force, reviewed the history of Lake County's opioid abatement plan and presented a proposed FY2027 budget for the Lake County Drug Treatment Court.

Simpson told the board that "Lake County received, is going to receive just over $12,900,000 over the next 18 years" in opioid settlement money and that the task force's abatement plan (approved 12/13/2021) included establishing the drug treatment court. He said the FY2027 budget request is "$444,462 which is an increase of $3,912 or 0.89% for fiscal year 2027," and that all listed expenses are eligible for use under the settlement schedules; staff recommended continuing the court under court administration with judiciary direction. Commissioners moved and seconded approval; the motion passed on the record without opposition.

Staff and in‑room partners (public defender and state's attorney representatives were present) offered to answer technical questions; no amendments were requested and the budget will be included in the county's FY2027 budget documents and funded from opioid settlement schedule allocations.