Sumner County approves $454,000 grant pool, withholds $50,000 for mobile naloxone unit and adds conflict-of-interest rule

Sumner County officials voted to approve the county nonprofit grant recommendations discussed at a prior work session while withholding $50,000 to purchase naloxone and a temporary mobile naloxone machine, officials said.

Staff member (S2) told the panel the county was advertising a $454,000 grant pool and “I would request to hold back $50,000” to buy naloxone and a mobile unit that could be moved to overdose hot spots and provide information about recovery resources. Committee member (S5) moved to approve the plan with the edits discussed in the work session and to add a conflict-of-interest bullet to the scoring; Committee member (S4) seconded the motion. Chair (S3) called the question and members answered “Aye.” The transcript shows no roll-call tally.

In discussion, staff said the withheld money would be placed in an administrative account and that staff would return with a detailed proposal outlining how the kit would be used, partners and site requirements, and implementation logistics. Staff noted the project would need to meet local planning-and-zoning criteria in receiving municipalities; she cited Hendersonville as an example. Staff also described practical checks for the kit: weekly inspections, a small number of naloxone doses stocked and monitored by partners such as the Prevention Coalition and the sheriff’s office, and placement near retail locations if those sites meet criteria.

Committee member (S5) also asked that scoring language require members to disclose conflicts of interest — for example, if they serve on or are employed by a nonprofit applicant or have given donations — and said that “they have to abstain and not vote” on any item where a conflict exists. The motion as modified added that disclosure/prohibition language to the scoring guidance; the panel approved the motion.

The panel did not finalize hotspot selection or placement standards at the meeting; staff will return with a proposal showing partner roles, site eligibility and costs before funding the mobile kit.