South Charleston OKs spending plan for opioid settlement funds; local nonprofits praise support

The South Charleston City Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing the city treasurer to expend opioid settlement funds and to establish budget line items to account for the approved expenditures.

The clerk read the resolution authorizing the treasurer to make expenditures from the opioid settlement fund and the council moved, seconded and passed the resolution by voice vote. Several nonprofit representatives addressed the council in support.

Don Hallstein, who identified himself as "president of Pollinate's board," said the program is "a recovery program for women" and thanked the council for dispensing funds to support ongoing services. (Don Hallstein, Pollinate Cafe Appalachia)

Scott Jarrett, who identified himself as "the executive director [of] Hart and Hand," described his organization's work and offered numerical context: "We provide over 17,000 people with assistance in 2025, over 1,000 that we know were in active addiction or recovery," and said Hart and Hand employs 17 full- and part-time staff, 14 of whom live in South Charleston. (Scott Jarrett, Hart and Hand)

The council passed the resolution after the presentations; the transcript records the motion, a second and the chair announcing "Motion passes." The resolution text and ordinance/resolution number were not specified in the transcript.