Public commenters urge opioid funds for treatment and debate private-pay assisted living

Several members of the public spoke during the meeting’s comment periods. Ed Comeau urged that any opioid settlement funds the county receives be used for addiction treatment. "Any opioid funding received should be used for addiction treatment," Comeau said during public comment.

Separately, Dallas Emery told the board that if the county adds an assisted-living wing to the nursing home it should be run by a private company if it will serve private‑pay residents; Fred Cain concurred. Chairman Chuck McGee said the county's goal would be for any addition to be "as self-sustaining as possible." Those comments were made during the regular public-comment portion of the meeting and did not prompt immediate policy action; commissioners recorded the remarks for the public record.