Delegates urged to open opioid-grant funds to restore summer programs for 77 children; staff says supplemental budget may be required

Representative Budman urged the Carroll County Delegation to open opioid-grant funding to help school and summer programs after Title I cuts left 77 children without summer-school services. "Effingham and Ossipe dropped their summer school this year... There are 77 children affected," Budman said, and he added that roughly 30 of those children faced no scholarship options.

Budman said past opioid-funded grants administered through local nonprofit channels had subsidized school and recreation programs and requested that the delegation set parameters so all districts could apply. He said some recent awards included $75,000 to Whitehorse and another $14,000 to a separate group.

Staff (the county coordinator) responded that some opioid funding remained but could not confirm eligibility from the floor. Staff advised that using county funds or reallocating opioid grants would likely require a supplemental budget and a formal request from the commissioners. "I wouldn't feel comfortable answering that from the floor without looking into it," the coordinator said.

Delegates discussed the process for calling a supplemental budget meeting and noted notice requirements. Chair and staff indicated the delegation could call a special meeting in July if the commissioners approve an expenditure and it meets legal requirements; otherwise the delegation could approve funding next fiscal year without binding a future delegation.

What’s next
Staff will check grant-eligibility and report back; if funds qualify and commissioners request it, the delegation could convene a supplemental budget meeting in July. Delegates pressed for timely follow-up because of the immediacy of the children’s needs.

Quote
"If Miss Siemens determines that funding meets the requirement for the children... would that require a special meeting to address that?" Representative Brown asked. Staff replied that a supplemental budget would be required if the commissioners approve the expenditure.

Context
Delegates noted county budget rules are stricter than nonprofit grant rules and stressed that any expenditure would need to follow supplemental budget procedures and proper notice.