County approves $362K contract to combat opioid crisis with new treatment program

This article was created by AI using a video recording of the meeting. It summarizes the key points discussed, but for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Link to Full Meeting

The Lebanon County Commissioner Meeting held on January 2, 2025, focused on several key agenda items, including a new contract for medical services and the final passage of the county budget for 2025.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding a contract for medical services, which is set at $362,859.81 for the year. This contract is part of a transitional phase aimed at addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic in the community. The county is currently experiencing approximately 120 new intakes each month, with 8% to 12% of these individuals requiring detoxification from opioids, alcohol, or illegal substances. The goal of the program is to proactively reduce the impact of substance abuse in Lebanon County.

The contract will cover various roles, including a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) physician, a MAT coordinator, and a MAT nurse, along with the necessary medications. The county is also utilizing OCO settlement funds, which allow PrimeCare to invoice up to $100,000 to help offset medication costs. The commissioners expressed their commitment to seeking additional grants and advocating for future opioid settlement funds to support this initiative.

Following this discussion, the commissioners moved on to the final passage of the 2025 county budget. The budget totals $100,398,376 and maintains the current millage rate at 4.3925 mills, meaning there will be no increase in taxes for residents. The budget was introduced earlier in the month, and adjustments have been made since then to ensure it meets the county's needs.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote in favor of both the medical services contract and the county budget, marking a significant step in the county's efforts to address public health and financial planning for the upcoming year.

Converted from 12/26/2024 Lebanon County Commissioner Meeting meeting on January 02, 2025
Link to Full Meeting