County to allow up to three-year performance periods for opioid settlement awards

County staff reviewed the county27s participation in the multi-jurisdictional opioid litigation settlement and recommended that future grant awards allow a performance period of up to three years rather than the prior one-year standard. Staff said a longer performance window would help agencies demonstrate sustained outcomes and make it easier to hire and retain staff funded by the awards.

Staff noted safeguards: recipients must meet the grant27s MOA criteria, will report regularly, and can be required to return funds or face prosecution in cases of misappropriation. Staff proposed a maximum $50,000 per year cap for many awards (consistent with statewide practice) and said county internal departments (EMS, sheriff, DSS) would have an opportunity to apply under the same criteria.

The board approved allowing staff to issue an RFP with a three-year performance option, subject to performance oversight and standard MOA requirements.

Commissioners discussed budget continuity concerns and asked staff to structure reporting and termination conditions if a recipient fails to meet performance targets.