Lawrence County approves $35,000 opioid settlement payment to Compass Point

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 2025-10, adopting a supplemental budget that gives county staff authority to write a $35,000 check to Compass Point from the county's opioid settlement funds.

The payment was the subject of a public hearing at the start of the meeting. Brenda (auditor) told the board the county had previously authorized Compass Point to receive $35,000; the resolution gives the auditor budget authority to disburse the money because the settlement receipts arrived after the annual budget process. She said the county's opioid fund balance stood at $65,042.92 after previous disbursements.

The nut graf: The county uses opioid-settlement funds — distinct from tax revenues — for programs that meet the settlement's allowable uses. The supplemental budget lets the auditor legally release the Compass Point payment without violating audit rules.

Board discussion focused on whether approvals duplicated earlier budget allocations and whether the organizations seeking money overlapped. Commissioner Richard (commissioner) and another commissioner said they believed Compass Point, ABC and drug court were using the settlement funds for different, non-overlapping services such as prevention, treatment and training.

After no public comments were offered during the hearing, a commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2025-10; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The board asked when additional settlement funds would arrive; Brenda said the county expects further distributions throughout the year and reiterated that each disbursement requires budget authority before the auditor may write checks.

Ending: The resolution gives the auditor the immediate authority to disburse $35,000 to Compass Point; the county will continue to receive opioid-settlement receipts in installments and will consider future supplemental budgets as requests are made.