Hubbard County committee begins drafting guidelines to spend $780,000 in opioid-settlement funds

County officials reported that the opioid-settlement advisory committee has begun work to develop transparent criteria and tracking requirements for spending about $780,000 the county holds from opioid settlements.

Committee members discussed priorities that could include prevention, treatment, recovery supports, housing stabilization and outreach. Members emphasized the need for clear application criteria, outcome tracking and safeguards so funds are used in line with the state's memorandum of understanding.

"I believe it's like $780,000 that we received in opioid settlement money," a commissioner said, noting the county is holding the funds and that an advisory group will develop proposal criteria. Staff member Angie said she would forward the state's memorandum to the committee for review.

The group plans to solicit rough proposals from interested parties and to consider whether county departments may submit requests, provided those proposals meet the MOU criteria and transparency/accountability standards agreed by the committee.