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Commissioners discuss Advantage Behavioral Health's opioid funding request; county searches for legal guidance on settlement rules
Summary
Advantage Behavioral Health sought partnership with Madison County to use opioid settlement funds for outreach and a prorated outreach position; commissioners and staff said state distribution rules are unclear and they are pursuing guidance before making commitments.
Advantage Behavioral Health System requested Madison County's consideration of partnering to use opioid settlement funds to support outreach and a prorated full-time position dedicated to outreach and engagement.
County staff and commissioners described the request as unsettled because the legal rules governing opioid settlement funds and how counties may distribute them remain unclear. Commissioners said they have spoken with state-level contacts and other counties and found inconsistent practices: some counties have directed settlement funds to outreach programs and contracts with third parties, while others reported uncertainty about what expenditures are legal under settlement terms. A county official said, “we really have not been able to come up with anything that's concrete” and that staff are trying to set up meetings with state officials to determine permissible uses.
Advantage's written budget materials include a line described in the meeting as a prorated percentage for 1 full-time equivalent position with a $30,000 price tag; meeting participants asked whether that amount would be split across multiple counties or borne by a single county. Commissioners asked county staff to pursue a formal legal interpretation and report back before committing any county funds or entering a contract tied to opioid settlements.
The board did not take formal action on the request at the meeting. Staff said they will schedule follow-up conversations with state officials and with Advantage representatives to clarify allowable uses of settlement funds and potential multi-county cost-sharing arrangements.
