Douglas County commissioners on Oct. 15 directed county staff to implement a process for evaluating and awarding grants from the Municipalities Fight Addiction Fund (MFAF) — money from national opioid settlements — and the county's special alcohol fund.

Jake Broadbent, assistant to the county administrator, told commissioners that MFAF money must be used to prevent, reduce or treat substance abuse or reimburse past related costs and that it is somewhat more flexible than the special alcohol fund. "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.

Broadbent said the county has received roughly half of the settlement payments anticipated and noted the amounts will change once the Purdue settlement is finalized. He estimated MFAF receipts will persist for about 13 more years but said the settlements are front-loaded and annual receipts will decline over time.

The special alcohol fund is generated by a 10% sales tax on alcoholic drinks sold in unincorporated areas and smaller cities in the county and is limited by state law to programs that prevent, treat or educate about alcohol and drug abuse. Broadbent said the special alcohol fund is smaller than the MFAF — roughly $50,000–$70,000 annually compared with about $200,000 for the MFAF in recent years.

Staff proposed a two‑cycle application process: one application round aligned with the county budget cycle (open to any organization) and a second, year‑end round open only to current community partners. Staff will review applications, forward recommended proposals to the county administrator and then bring awards to the commission for approval. Successful applications are expected to show organizational stability, one‑time expenses, adherence to legal restrictions on the funds, and plans to leverage other funding.

Commissioners asked how the county will advertise opportunities to new providers and whether awards should be targeted to fill service gaps rather than supplant existing funding. Jill Jellicker said staff will start with conversations with existing partners and with internal service departments that may now be eligible to apply; she said staff will be careful to avoid using the funds for ongoing, unsustainable operations. "That would get at a gap," Jellicker said, describing staff intent to prioritize time‑limited projects that fill unmet needs.

Commissioner Willie moved to authorize the county administrator to proceed with the proposed procedure for evaluating and awarding MFAF and special alcohol funding requests from community partners; a second was recorded and the motion passed unanimously.