Council reviews draft application process for $5M in opioid-settlement funds

The Monroe County Council discussed draft procedures on April 9 for distributing an expected allocation of roughly $5 million from opioid-settlement revenues. Councilor Peter Iverson, who is serving on the county committee, presented three draft documents: a proposal procedure, an application form and an application-review checklist.

Iverson said the committee expects two application tracks: organizational grants for substance-use-disorder programs and scholarships for individuals training to be peer-recovery coaches. He stressed the need for due diligence and transparency and described the materials as drafts for council feedback.

County staff (Bree Gregory) told the council organizations and county departments would be eligible to apply, and staff recommended a standard application process and quarterly committee review to vet awards and bring recommendations to the council and commissioners for appropriation. Gregory said staff hoped to have the materials posted to the county website and live by April 12, pending approvals, and that fallback email submission would be available if the online submit button was delayed.

Councilors debated deadlines, whether funds should be distributed on a rolling basis or in quarterly rounds, and how appeals and recapture of unused funds would be handled. Iverson emphasized that the documents are draft and asked councilors to provide input before the committee finalizes procedures.

The discussion closed with direction for staff to continue refining application materials and processes; no appropriation of settlement funds was made during the meeting.