TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
DATE: October 7, 2025
SUBJECT: Amendment No. 2 to the Service Agreement with Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network for Administration of Opioid Settlement Proceeds
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BACKGROUND
On May 21, 2024, the Board approved a Service Agreement (“Agreement”) with Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network (“SEFBHN”) to disperse opioid settlement funds received from larger class action defendants to certain organizations approved by the County. The State of Florida requires that counties that have a population of less than 300,000 enter a partnership with a DCF approved third party to receive and distribute these opioid settlement funds. On February 7, 2025, the Board approved Amendment #001 to the Agreement to allow SEFBHN to collect a 5% administrative processing fee, which is withheld from the opioid settlement funds, as compensation for its work to track and disperse these monies.
The proposed Amendment #002 to the Agreement continues the County’s relationship with SEFBHN and covers current and projected allocations for opioid settlement monies. This amendment is effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The scope of services in Attachment A remains the same in this new amendment. In Attachment B, the organizations that were previously approved by the Board to receive funds - Indian River County Sheriff, Substance Awareness Center, IRC Mental Health Collaborative, 19th Judicial Circuit Problem-Solving Courts, and Treasure Coast Homeless Council - are listed. Additionally, there is new language which states that, if there is additional unallocated funding, "If needed, others will be added to the list and it will be shared via email with the Indian River Board of County Commissioners." SEFBHN has also provided an Opioid Settlement Contract Activities - Progress Report that gives an update on its activities and describes a collaboration with the Public Safety Coordinating Council and the Indian River Opioid Task Force to select additional funding recipients if there are undistributed funds.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
The 5% administrative fee paid to SEFBHN will come from the settlement proceeds allotted to the County, the fee is not passed on to the approved organizations receiving funds. There is no cost from the County Budget associated with this item.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
The County Attorney’s Office recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to sign Amendment No. 2 to the Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network Service Agreement.