Morgan County approves grants to fund opioid investigator and drug-free programs

The Morgan County Commissioners voted 3–0 on March 16 to allow the sheriff’s office to pursue two separate grant applications aimed at bolstering local responses to substance misuse.

The sheriff told the board the county, working with the prosecutor’s office and local police departments, is applying for an opioid settlement grant that would provide $77,285.92 per year over two years to establish a full-time opioid-response investigator. “What we want to do is establish a full-time investigator,” the sheriff said, adding the county plans to continue the position using grants and seizure funds after the initial period.

Commissioner Frank moved to approve pursuing the two-year opioid settlement award; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also approved the sheriff’s request to pursue Drug-Free Community funds. The sheriff described a $10,342 award available in each of three categories—prevention/education, treatment/intervention, and justice-services—totaling $31,026. “The 10,342 amount would be awarded in each of three categories,” the sheriff said; staff confirmed the county will apply in all three categories. Commissioner Brian Ker made the motion to allow the county to pursue those funds; the motion passed 3–0.

The grants will require later formal acceptance if awarded and may be contingent on budget and program details developed by the sheriff’s office and partnering agencies. The sheriff said he will bring signed documents to the clerk once the applications advance.