All three local jurisdictions have agreed to share in the proportional funding of $77,262 for the costs associated with hiring a coordinator for the first year of the Maury River Recovery Court.
Buena Vista and Lexington city councils each approved expenditures Thursday for their share of the costs -- $13,690 for Buena Vista and $13,174 for Lexington. The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors earlier approved the county’s share of $50,136.
Buena Vista Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Elrod told Buena Vista City Council that the approval of the creation of the court last month by the Supreme Court of Virginia “was a big win for the area.” Such courts have been shown to be “cost effective” for communities in other area, Elrod explained, offering a viable alternative to usual court proceedings for those suffering from addiction and facing criminal drug charges.
For those who are able to successfully complete the intensive program overseen by the special court and achieve sobriety, the benefits for the individuals, their families and society at large are enormous, according to proponents of recovery courts.
The appropriations by the local jurisdictions for the first year costs of the court’s coordinator, which are coming from opioid settlement funds, should be just one-time expenditures. Elrod said he anticipates state grant funding will be forthcoming to cover such costs in future years. The initial oneyear expenditures will demonstrate the localities’ commitment to this initiative and weigh in their favor with their future grant applications.
It’s hoped that a coordinator will be in place by March 1 and that the court will begin hearing cases by April 1, Elrod said to Buena Vista City Council, who unanimously approved the funding. Lexington City Council, likewise, unanimously approved the funding.
Staff writer Joseph Haney contributed information to this story.
