Douglas County commissioners on Oct. 15 reviewed staff recommendations for allocating two restricted funding sources—the Municipalities Fight Addiction (MFA) fund, financed by national opioid settlements, and the county’s special alcohol fund, financed by a 10% sales tax on alcoholic drinks sold in certain unincorporated areas and small cities—and authorized staff to move forward with a proposed evaluation and award procedure.

Jake Broadbent, assistant to the county administrator, described the MFA fund as settlement money that must be used to prevent, reduce or treat substance abuse or to reimburse past related costs. Broadbent said the settlement funds are front-loaded and the county expects to receive payments over roughly the next 13 years, with the annual amount subject to change once certain large settlements (such as Purdue) are finalized.

On the special alcohol fund, staff said proceeds come from a 10% sales tax on alcohol sold in unincorporated areas and cities with populations under 6,000 (staff cited Baldwin City and Lecompton as examples). Broadbent said the special alcohol fund historically yields roughly $50,000–$70,000 annually while the MFA fund has been larger—about $200,000 annually to date—but that the MFA payments will taper over time.

Staff proposed a two-cycle application process: one application window during the county budget cycle (around April) open to any qualifying organization, and a second December application period limited to current community partners. Staff said successful proposals should demonstrate organizational stability, leverage other funding sources, fit legal restrictions for the funds and favor one-time or time-limited expenses rather than ongoing staffing commitments.

"This is funded by National Opioid Settlements, and the funding must be used to prevent, reduce, or treat substance abuse or reimburse past related costs by the county," Broadbent said.

Commissioners discussed outreach to potential new providers, internal county departments that might use the funds for pilot projects (for example, sheriff’s office reentry or criminal justice services), and whether staff should prioritize projects that fill gaps rather than supplant existing operations. Staff said they will clarify guidance so applicants understand the intent to avoid funding ongoing personnel costs and to prefer one-time, gap-filling projects.

A motion to authorize the county administrator to proceed with the proposed procedure for evaluating and awarding MFA and special alcohol fund requests was made, seconded and passed unanimously.

Staff said they will finalize application materials and publicize the April application window as part of the regular budget process and will present recommended awards to the commission for approval.