Decatur County advisory council tables multiple opioid-fund grant requests, seeks more detail

The Decatur County Investment Advisory Council on Tuesday reviewed several applications for county opioid-abatement funds and deferred decisions on multiple requests pending additional information and applicant appearances.

The council tabled an application from Foundations for Recovery for a residential program — characterized by the applicant as a three-quarter house model — after members asked for clearer financial documentation, confirmation of participation in the county’s Recovery Works program and details about transportation from its Westport location. A motion to table the application and invite the applicant to the September meeting carried by voice vote; a council member seconded the motion, and the chair announced that the motion passed.

Council members also deferred action on a court services request that would support Gracie, a juvenile probation officer whose salary has been partly covered by a grant that expires in October. Members noted a potential conflict of interest because Gracie is a department employee and said they preferred to await the county council’s decision before approving additional county opioid funds. The court services request was tabled until September.

An application from Gary Memorial Hospital EMS seeking funds for two automated chest-compression devices — described by a council member as machines that perform CPR compressions automatically — was likewise tabled. “We’ve used these at Greensburg Fire. They do CPR where you don’t have to manually do CPR. It is a device that goes around your chest and does compressions for you,” Councilmember Brian said, explaining the device’s purpose and why the request fits the fund’s mission; members nonetheless asked whether the request represented replacement units or new equipment and asked that a hospital representative explain model benefits and deployment plans before the council votes.

A late request from a local Methodist church for general programming funds prompted concern that approving one faith-based general-expense request could set a precedent obligating the council to grant similar requests from other community organizations. Members recommended the church be placed on the September agenda as new business so the panel can assess the application in full context.

Throughout the meeting, council members sought a clearer accounting of the opioid fund balance. A staff member estimated the current grant cycle funds at roughly $20,000–$30,000 remaining and said she would apply for an additional $10,000 in July; members stressed the difference between cash-on-hand snapshots provided by the auditor and the council’s committed or contingent awards, and asked staff to prepare a detailed rundown of available versus obligated funds for the next meeting.

The panel’s broader discussion also touched on juvenile-programming supported by the Judo grant, which funds Gracie’s work. Council members heard that the program includes summer activities for eight juveniles, financial-literacy and cooking classes, mechanics workshops, and a moral reconation therapy (MRT) curriculum; Wellness Court has incorporated MRT as one program phase. Members noted the current grant structure likely covers most of Gracie’s 2026 salary but not her position beyond the grant’s October end date.

All tabling motions were carried by voice vote with no roll-call tallies recorded in the meeting minutes. Each deferred application was assigned to be revisited at the council’s September meeting, where applicants are expected to appear or submit clarifying documentation.

The council adjourned after scheduling follow-up and requesting more detailed financial documentation and applicant appearances for September.