Cerro Gordo County approves additional funds for methadone clinic at Prairie Ridge

MASON CITY — The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors Monday approved an additional $47,410 from the county’s share of opioid funds to help fund a methadone clinic at Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare.

The board had approved an allotment of $54,320 in January to go towards the new program to help treat those addicted to opioids. Prairie Ridge went to surrounding counties as well to seek funding to help start the clinic, but the boards of supervisors in Winnebago and Kossuth counties turned down the request.

Prairie Ridge’s Shea Jorgensen says the original cost of the project was estimated at $155,000, but the actual cost ended up being $170,429 due to some required modifications. She says the additional funding from the county would help with what Winnebago and Kossuth counties didn’t contribute to the project.   “The actual amount here is the $47,410, and I just thought I would make the request for the full amount. That would close the gap between the money we’ve spent and the money we did not receive between this and the other counties who have provided funding.”

Cerro Gordo County at the start of the Fiscal Year had $600,000 in its Opioid Fund, with $200,000 previously committed to another program during the Fiscal Year. Supervisor Casey Callanan made the motion to approve the full amount requested, saying that the program will be a positive for the county.  “I think it significantly moves the needle and I think you have put a lot of effort in. As much as I’d love you to go to every county and pass the hat again, my preference if we have the money and it’s not taxpayer money, let’s just get it done and have you guys do what you do. I know you are not in the fundraising business, you’re trying to help people.”

Counties statewide received settlement funds after the Iowa Attorney General’s Office was successful in several nationwide settlements with the pharmaceutical industry, resulting in funds to assist in the abatement of the opioid crisis through prevention and treatment strategies. Methadone is a medication used in medication-assisted treatment to help people reduce or quit their use of opiates.