Subject:
Title
Funding recommendation by the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board for the Regional Opioid Abatement Leadership, Planning, and Coordination Solicitation.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the funding recommendation made by the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board (OAFAB) for the Regional Opioid Abatement Leadership, Planning, and Coordination Solicitation, and delegation of authority to the County Administrator to sign the agreement and associated documentation with the recommended vendor.
• Pinellas County Human Services administered a competitive grant solicitation process for an evaluation and gap analysis of the current state of the opioid epidemic and abatement programming in Pinellas County.
• The solicitation was opened on October 11, 2023, and four applications were received. The OAFAB completed rank and review of applications on December 5, 2023, and on January 26, 2024, following oral presentations Ernst & Young earned the highest score and was recommended as the vendor.
• The proposal from Ernst & Young, LLP was for an amount not to exceed $478,000.00 that will be allocated through an agreement with the vendor in a separate item. Delegation of authority is being requested to expedite contracting and completion of gap analysis report.
• The recommended proposal will be funded entirely from Regional Opioid Abatement settlement funds. These funds are accounted for in their own special revenue fund, separate from the general fund. This is the first OAFAB funding recommendation.
• The Board of County Commissioners previously approved the OAFAB Priority List on June 13, 2023, item 23-0826A where Leadership, Planning, and Coordination were identified as a priority.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
This funding recommendation is for an evaluation and gap analysis of the current state of the opioid epidemic and abatement programming in Pinellas County to include specific recommendations, guidance, and examples of best practices for use in competitive solicitations for opioid abatement services.
The OAFAB completed rank and review of applications on December 5, 2023, and on January 26, 2024, following oral presentations Ernst & Young earned the highest score and was recommended as the vendor.
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Background Information:
Pinellas County, along with the Florida cities and counties, agreed to the Florida Opioid Allocation and statewide response agreement (the “Florida Plan”) with the State of Florida, which governs the allocation and use of opioid litigation settlement proceeds.
The Regional Fund is distributed to Pinellas County government as a Qualified County under the Florida Plan.
Under the Florida Plan, and in collaboration with the City of Clearwater, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, and Department of Health established the OAFAB. The OAFAB is tasked with reviewing opioid-related data, setting priorities for regional settlement funding, and after competitive solicitations administered by Pinellas County Human Services, making funding recommendations to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.
Fiscal Impact:
The proposal from Ernst & Young, LLP was for an amount not to exceed $478,000.00 that will be allocated through an agreement with the vendor in a separate item.
The recommended proposal will be funded entirely from Regional Opioid Abatement settlement funds. These funds are accounted for in their own special revenue fund, separate from the general fund. This is the first OAFAB funding recommendation.
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
City of Clearwater
City of Pinellas Park
City of St. Petersburg
Florida Department of Health Pinellas County
DCF
Attachments:
Funding Recommendation
Final Rank and Review