Beltrami County board approves $70,050 in opioid settlement grants after public comment and staff briefing

The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners voted to approve distribution of up to $70,050 in opioid settlement funds to RFP applicants after a public-health briefing and a public comment urging immediate release of the money.

The funding decision followed a presentation by Amy Bowles, Beltrami County public health director and community health board administrator, summarizing the state memorandum of agreement governing opioid settlement dollars and the county steering committee’s RFP process. Bowles told the board that the state requires a special revenue fund for settlement dollars and strict adherence to the uses listed in Exhibit A of the MOA.

Bowles said the steering committee used community listening sessions and a competitive RFP process to shape priorities and that reimbursements will be made only after staff verify expenditures meet the MOA and Exhibit A. "The funds may be contracted to nonprofits, charities, and other entities, but, again, they can only be used for the approved uses outlined in the exhibit a of the MOA," Bowles said.

Before the formal discussion, Isabella Schafer, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and owner of the Recovery Space, urged immediate release of funds for harm-reduction services. Schafer said her organization operates a syringe-exchange program and sources supplies from multiple states. "These funds come from the bankruptcy settlement of Purdue Pharma. These funds are our funds. People are dying," she told the board during the citizens-addressing-the-board segment.

Commissioner Carlson moved to approve the distribution up to $70,050 and Commissioner Gould seconded. The board took a regular vote; the motion passed with all present voting aye.

Discussion before the vote touched on the county’s own $70,000 set-aside for county programs. Commissioner Winger voiced concern that reallocating funds could reduce staff at the county’s Health and Human Services office, saying he did not want to lose personnel who provide day-to-day services. Commissioner Sumner asked staff to review the MOU and scoring process for the public before the final vote; Bowles responded that she had prepared a short presentation and outlined the application, reporting and reimbursement procedures.

Bowles also noted the county previously distributed up to $45,349 in state opioid settlement dollars to five RFP applicants and described checks and balances including one-on-one contract meetings, quarterly reports and an annual state report. She told the board the steering committee has met monthly since its creation and includes both professional and lived-experience members.

The board action authorizes distribution to the RFP applicants recommended by the Opioid Steering Committee; recipients will receive reimbursement following verification of eligible expenditures under the state MOA.