Putnam County seeks contract extensions for opioid-settlement programs into 2026

County mental‑health staff told the Health, Social, Educational, Environmental Committee that several community providers awarded opioid‑settlement funding need more time to invoice and spend their awards and recommended extending those contracts six months into 2026.

Kristen Moore and Department of Mental Health colleagues said the county’s opioid settlement spending has increased since 2023: a single award of $85,000 was paid in 2023, about $500,000 was spent in 2024, and 2025 award notices total $613,000. At the time of the committee meeting, about $351,000 remained unspent from the settlement account for 2025, county staff said. Staff noted delays in awarding and invoicing after a late start to contract execution in 2025 and recommended moving contract end dates into 2026 so providers can complete planned programs and bill the county.

Staff said they are monitoring awardees, maintaining regular contact, and will report on spending to the legislature. Several agencies receiving awards were present at the committee meeting, and staff emphasized that many programs — for example, school‑based co‑occurring‑conditions curriculum delivery and harm‑reduction education — will involve partnerships between county public‑health staff, the Prevention Council and community agencies.

The presentation was informational; no formal vote to amend contracts was recorded during the meeting. Staff said they will return with contract extensions or other formal requests as required by county procurement and budget rules.