Haywood County schedules June 16 opioid funding hearing; commissioners approve two HHSA board appointments

Commissioners said they will hold the county’s annual opioid funding discussion and public hearing on June 16 as part of the opioid settlement process with pharmaceutical companies. A county official said the hearing will include a presentation and recommendations for using opioid settlement funds alongside existing treatment and recovery court grants; county staff and local partners — including a state grant the county received for treatment several years ago — are coordinating the proposed uses.

At the June 2 meeting the board also approved two appointments to the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) board. The board appointed Dr. Jedidiah Lambert to the dentist member position and reappointed Nina Kirkpatrick to the nurse member position. County staff reported that the HHSA Board of Nominations submitted those recommendations on May 8 and the full board had endorsed them. Commissioners recorded the appointment votes as unanimous.

Speakers referenced in the discussion included a county official who said he and Dr. Banks and the sheriff had been working on a new phase for opioid fund use; the county intends to present a plan on June 16.