Gresham City Council Work Session, Sept. 15, 2026

The Gresham City Council held a work session on September 15, 2026, focused on the allocation and spending of opioid settlement funds received by the city. The council reviewed the history and timeline of nationwide opioid litigation settlements, noting that Gresham receives approximately 1% of the state's distributed funds, amounting to about $150,000 to $200,000 annually, with a requirement to spend each tranche within five years. Staff presented various proposals for the use of these funds, including purchasing Narcan (naloxone) and AEDs for first responders, funding recovery housing beds, supporting school-based opioid education and prevention programs, and enhancing mobile crisis and deflection programs. Council members emphasized prioritizing operational needs such as overdose response supplies and training, while also considering education and recovery services. Concerns were raised about the sustainability of funding for ongoing positions given the one-time nature of settlement funds. The council directed staff to collaborate and develop a prioritized spending plan that balances immediate operational needs with prevention and recovery efforts, ensuring effective use of the finite funds. No formal votes were recorded during the session.