Nonprofits ask Marshall County for opioid‑settlement funds; commissioners ask groups to return after budget cycle

Multiple community organizations asked Marshall County commissioners on May 5 for grants from opioid‑settlement funds, and commissioners asked the groups to return in November once the county's budget picture is clearer.

Andrew Hayne, founder of Ashes to Fire Revival Ministry and the '99 plus1' outreach, asked the board for a $10,000 investment from opioid‑settlement funding to produce a recovery workbook/journal, participant materials and targeted mobile outreach. Hayne said the request is "not for payroll, rent or generating operating cost" and that the packet submitted to the county details proposed uses. Commissioners thanked him but, citing unknowns in the budget, told him to return in November after the county's first tax draw in June and the budget process.

Tim Star of Marshall County Hope described the group's peer‑coach model, recent growth to roughly 38 clients and community events, and estimated that adding two coaches would cost "probably around $90,000" a year (about $45,000 per coach). He asked for county support to expand services and emphasized outreach to veterans, youth prevention and a proposed recovery cafe. Commissioners expressed appreciation but said they must evaluate such requests during the budget cycle and could not commit funding at the meeting.

Vicky Brown of Dustin's Place reported that the organization's daytime programming and no‑cost one‑on‑one counseling have expanded since October and requested $63,000 to cover Q1 service gaps and upcoming initiatives including overdose awareness and bereavement support. Commissioners again said they were sympathetic but not positioned to approve additional allocations before the budget is settled.

What’s next: commissioners asked nonprofit leaders to return in November with updated requests after the county's budget process; no opioid‑settlement awards were made at the May 5 meeting.